It is easy to see the suffering with the homeless man on the street, with ripped clothes, smelling of disaster and failure as you step over the body downtown.
It is easy to see the torture in a little boys eyes because he is beaten, abused and hungry.
It is easy to see the scars on the dog's side from the rage left behind of a selfish owner.
I think we all can see that, and sometimes we volunteer a day out of our lives to a charity or write a check around Christmas time, fooling ourselves into thinking that we've made a difference.
While, like you, I see that suffering, I live in the suffering of the silent.
They are normal Americans, just like you. Men and women who go to work each day and wonder if this is all there is to life.
It's the middle aged man who makes 100k a year, who plunks three ice cubes into his drink after a long days work, looking at his children who are growing and need him less and less. He lives in a big house with a woman called his wife who is a really a stranger in this country called his home. There is little connection and he fools himself each morning by getting up, going to work, managing his 401(k) and being responsible for those around him. He was told as a young man that he would have to provide for others and stop being selfish.
Yet at the ripe age of 40 or 50, he sits alone in his beautifully decorated palace wondering if this is all there is, and why isn't he happy after all he has accomplished.
Does anyone see him?
No.
Does anyone feel his suffering in lonliness and isolation?
No.
Furthermore, does he complain?
Little, for no one would listen.
Does he have a place or a book called "Work/Life balance" that would comfort him and tell him he isn't crazy?
No. He plods on to work then we judge and cruisfy him when he pitches his marriage, leaves, buys a sports car and perhaps quits his job.
We call that a mid life crisis because you would have to be nuts to leave the great life you had, buddy. Some thing is really wrong with you. Forget the voices in your head and return.
The face of suffering in America is all around you, in workers, in bosses, in large corporations churning out products and processes and more things we are supposed to buy.
We are no longer happy, and we don't know how to return to ourself and figure it out.
What do I do for a living?
I relieve pain.
It's that simple.
And I'll tell you why....
This is suffering.
About Me
- Elizabeth Lions
- Dallas, Texas, United States
- My name is Elizabeth Lions and I am the author of Recession Proof Yourself! The book is a short read for people that are unemployed during recession. For many years as a headhunter, I held thousands of conversations between hiring managers and candidates, trying to bridge the gap between two vastly different audiences. Let’s get the elephant out of the room. Yes, there are many self professed career coaches out there. What makes me unique is that I met your boss. Bottom line: I know why someone is hired, fired and promoted before they do. Over a decade ago, I opened my own private practice as a career councilor and had the privilege of working with people in transition. Some were laid off. Some simply hated their boss and wanted another job. I help all that cross my path. This blog is different than my business blog found on my site, and is done with purpose and intention. This blog is merely a compilation of my thoughts, views and witnessing of others and myself. It can be a little introspective, and not for the faint of heart.