Proverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." There is wisdom in this statement. Having vision implies having hope that things can be different and better. There is also the hint in the verse that having vision energizes the will to turn a vision into reality. No matter how grandiose or modest, without vision, life can become a monotonous, dreary, passing of days. The body and mind might be functioning, but the spirit has already perished.
It is also wise to be careful in choosing a vision. If the vision is too narrow, it has the potential to do more harm than good.
The devastating results of narrow vision surround us. For instance, on a macro level, the vision that supports a narrow concentration of wealth at the top 1 percent of society has led us to a point where society is so unbalanced, the very nature of this country as a democracy is in question. On a personal level, narrow vision can mean creating a life that is so self-centered one is left in an isolated island revolving around a "me" against "them" mentality that leaves no room for meaningful relationships.
A narrow vision is related to being cut off from a part of yourself or your community. It could be based on upbringing, education (or a lack of one) or societies' standards for what is acceptable.
Dickens' classic story, "A Christmas Carol," has a lot to teach us about vision. Ebenezer Scrooge, a successful businessman, is known for being greedy and stingy. He embodies a narrow vision of life. The qualities of compassion, kindness and benevolence have no meaning for him. His narrow vision of what matters prevents Scrooge from caring about the plight of his nearly impoverished clerk, Bob Cratchit.
Through a series of visitations by ghosts, Scrooge is shown parts of himself he has lost, what the reality is for a range of people in his community, and a dire vision of the future if he does not change his ways. After these experiences, he is transformed. Scrooge's heart opens, and he takes responsibility for contributing to his family and community. At the end of the story, Scrooge becomes an embodiment of the spirit of Christmas.
It's interesting that Dickens chose the workplace as the setting for "A Christmas Carol." For many, walking into work means checking your vision -- including creativity and spirituality -- at the door.
I hope you don't have a person of narrow vision as a boss who stifles your creativity and spirit. But even if you do, you can take inspiration from Bob Cratchit, a man with little working in terrible conditions, who found a way to hold on to his soul at work and fulfill his own vision. You can also take inspiration from my friend Martin Rutte, co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work," who says, "For a lot of people, work is a place where you get sucked into despair for a variety of reasons. Why not use those very same reasons as a springboard to inspire you to create a vision of what you'd like, and then take little concrete steps every day to make that vision come true?" (Martin is involved in a global video contest to promote people's vision of bringing all of themselves into the workplace.)
It isn't easy keeping an open heart in the face of greed and arrogance in an environment that does not support and respect you, but holding on to a wider vision of life and who you are can be transformative and healing even in difficult circumstances. One way to stay open and vibrant is through taking pride and joy in your work. Another is complimenting and supporting those around you, thereby building relationships that can be nurturing and important.
As we move deeper into the holiday season, it is worth taking some time to think about our vision for our lives at work and outside of it. The more soul we bring into life, the richer our experience will be and the greater our impact on those around us. Happy holidays!
Follow Levi Ben-Shmuel on Twitter: www.twitter.com/levibenshmuel
Arianna Huffington: Sunday Roundup
We have devolved into a fragmented gruop, Motivated by an insatiable desire for materialism andgreed.
Ata tremendous cost to the nation as a whole.
Financing of campaigns is the root of all evil.
$ is not free speech.
Corps are not people.
Also the revolving door GOVt to business and back policy.
How can you regulate the co you will work for in the future?
5 year ban on working in such areas is needed.
A few points:
1) Wealth Inequality, as opposed to Income Inequality, is near its historical low. So, in fact, there has been no narrow concentration of wealth at the top, unless one uses a narrow vision that excludes fact.
2) Speaking of narrow vision, Charles Dickens misread Scrooge’s epitaph (yes, the idea for scrooge is based on real person, the great nephew of Adam Smith) on a headstone he read in Kilkardy, Scotland. He misread the headstone to read ‘Ebenezer Lonnox Scroggie—Mean Man’, when it should have read ‘Meal Man’ due to the fact that he was a corn merchant. Perhaps he misread it due to his narrow vision?
http://www.scotsman.com/news/revealed_the_scot_who_inspired_dickens_scrooge_1_571985
We should only hope that the world is full of more Scrooges, each working and, in turn developing their communities.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and less narrow and myopic vision going forward.
Kai
''Currently, the richest 1% hold about 38% of all privately held wealth in the United States.[3] while the bottom 90% held 73% of all debt.''
Could you cite a source for your assertion concerning wealth and income inequality?
Sure. Here you go. Sorry for not providing it earlier. Saez and Kopczuk are the top researchers globally on the subject of inequality, both are liberal and call for more taxes, but they cannot change the data, the 1% share of wealth is lower than what it was in the 1950’s. I am sure those were terrible times for the working class:
http://www.nber.org/papers/w10399
Please note figure 2, page 78, and figure 4, page 81, the 1% share lower than what it was in the 50’s and 60’s, not to mention before then.
Please note figure 3, page 80, wealth growth has trended about the same for both the 1% and the 99%
Please note figure 13, page 90, it is only at around 1980 that France and the UK caught up with the US in terms of wealth inequality.
Can I also educate you about income inequality and consumption inequality, both are not a problem in the United States and what drama there is on it, is overstated due to improper statistical analysis. Even so, as long as you have sound government and judicial institutions, income inequality is neither a detriment nor a benefit to the economy and the economy.
Kai
Perhaps a term like respect, or ethics? Just a thought.
Happy Hanukkah Levi!