But You Don’t Have to Be

You are a cog in the corporate machine.
You don't have a voice in what's going on around you.
You feel that you're putting so much out there, but no one cares.
You're only a cog in the machine.

I previously posted on giving yourself some grace, practicing self-empathy. Doing so, you can allow yourself to come alive as an individual. In the same way that you need empathy, so does your employer.

The world's increased polarization makes it nearly impossible for us to see another for who they are, as opposed to what they represent. In my youth, I admit, I would see employers and their decisions as a threat to my existence.

I would see others promoted, given raises, or exclusive benefits and would think, "my boss has it out for me." I never stopped to imagine what I could improve on, or how I could be more useful. Even if I did stop to think about how I could be more helpful, I wouldn't have the right; I didn't care about my employer.

My existence would feel like a fight between myself and someone else. What's worse, I felt my employer was fighting the same battle I was. What's worse, they weren't.

A lack of "empathy," or the ability to see another for who they are, kept me from understanding my employer's needs and problems. A lack of "empathy" kept me from being the answer. A lack of "empathy" kept me from being able to serve others.

In the end analysis, a lack of "empathy" kept me from getting the things I had seen others receive, and worse, ruined relationships.

I am better now.

Now, I take the time to understand "what" led to a decision.
Now, I accept decisions as they are.
Now, I take the time to express care for my boss and their needs.
Now, I make myself available to be helpful and useful.
Now, I can see their problem.
Now, I have the right to be an answer. And,
Now, if I sense that someone doesn't need someone like me, I move on.

You might be a cog now, but you don't have to be.

Choose to care.
Choose to see.
Choose to serve.