Say no to yes

Recently I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. My managers wanted me to go to the darkside (management) - I had put them off a little because I didn't want to have to decide right away as a lot of things were going quite well status quo.

But a couple of weeks ago one of my managers told me that it was time to decide what I wanted to do (as I am currently protected under a union I have some choice in the matter). He said this is the time and my chance if I want to be a manager and this opportunity is not likely to come up again for a long time.

There were so many factors involved in making this choice it was dizzying. It was hard not to let my ego get involved - being a manager sounds prestigious - does it not. But I also have large issues fundamentally with big corporations and the way our whole system (market economy) is currently set up to run (cruise control headed over the cliff named 'total fall of western society' we already fell off the cliff named 'total breakdown of western culture').

There may be some progressive big companies out there but where I am at I fear I would just end up being a corporate yes-man. I would never make it to the level were I could make any real change (because I don't care to 'climb the ladder'- other things in my life motivate me other than career).

The more I thought about it and mulled it over the more my gut was telling me that it wasn't right - I could see myself a year or two from now barely being able to escape the office because this happened or that guy who is some big cheese is demanding something 'yesterday'.

But what really clinched it for me was that no matter how sweet the deal was it would mean less kung-fu. Family time takes precedent, and what time would be left over for martial arts would be very slim. Less time on the mats teaching, kicking, doing forms, rolling, perfecting techniques, etc.. etc.. And if it took away that away from me - what could it possibly offer me that would make up for it?

Nothing.

So I told them thanks but no thanks, fact is I am happy where I am and doing what I am doing. If I needed to work more or take something else on to provide for my family, I would - but I don't. It seems to me that it is a fundamental human flaw that we are not able to recognize when things are good and just be content - we always have to be chasing after the next best thing, and that thing is usually stuff (money - possessions) - even if we already have everything we need.

The true substance of life is intangible - you can't hold, it drive it, or spend it - but all around you if you care to see it.