We Are All Slaves!!!
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Many people think that hard and exhausting work is a medal that everyone should be proud of, ignoring or even forgetting that they live exactly like slaves in the times of pharaohs. Despite that all workers who contributed in building the pyramids should feel proud because they built the best everlasting monuments in the history of mankind, but still they were sheer slaves and they were aware of it.
Every time I go home late from work (because I am one of those slaves), I remember that I’m killing the best moments of my life. It’s true that dedication for your job is good but what’s not correct is prioritizing work and neglecting your life, your family and friends.
What is work or what is life?
Most of those who LIVE in their jobs drink black coffee without sugar every morning not because they are diabetic but because they know for sure that they will have it someday due to all the pressure accompanied the work environment. I have read once that stupid co-workers can increase your chances of getting cancer or hear-attack twice the smokers do so it’s a double jeopardy! We drink it black to help us remember who or what we really are.
Technology Nightmare?
When technology was introduced to man’s life, everyone was optimistic about it and experts bet that technology will be the tool thru which mankind will be shifted from misery to happiness and that everything will be possible by one click! Sadly, no one ever expected that those buttons will control man’s life and death too. The successful employee now is condemned to carry weird connection machines all the time even in his bed like Blackberry because he has that dire need to feel connected and to be online 24/7.
If he travels, he is involuntarily compelled to make sure that his hotel room is equipped with internet to the extent that some don’t take the plane unless there is an internet connection! The new age-slaves are characterized by lingering in their offices after the official working hours not only to finish their piles of paperwork, but because they have no place to go to and if they only could, they would rent a house adjacent to their offices so they never leave! This sad picture is well depicted by one philosopher who said: if you work only to live then know that you work only to die.
Why are we slaves?
Each one of us has certain reasons on why we are slaves to our jobs, and that was clearly illustrated in a study conducted by a US Research Center which stated five reasons:
1- Having a challenge to achieve at work.
2- Feeling that our work is inspirational.
3- Monetarily satisfied because the pay is good.
4- Having strong bonds and relations with our co-workers so we can’t stay away from them.
5- Accomplishing our self-esteem thru accomplishing duties which make us feel important.
Simple Philosophy
Our devotion to pray to God, regardless of any religion, comes from our psychological satisfaction towards ourselves when we do it. So, we worship God to enter paradise and consequently to achieve happiness. We do our rituals to feel tranquil and to create peace in our inner selves which lead also to achieving happiness. Thus, if everything we do in life is to accomplish happiness, then why we have the urge to do more than what we are required to do in our jobs? Why we falsely imagine that we can achieve happiness thru hard work while it makes us miserable day by day?
The difference between The Old-age Slaves and The new-age Slaves?
Finally,
If you stay at work past your designated working hours, then you are a slave!
If you think of your work, co-workers, the new secretary…etc while you’re in bed, then you are a slave.
If your best friend is one of your colleagues, then you are undoubtedly a slave.
If you take your work home with you, overlooking your family needs, then you are a slave.
If you work on holidays, then you are a slave.
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Comments
Thanks dear 3cardmonte.
I sadly work like that.
Well, you should consider some revision dear rashedalbattah. Wish you the best.
So very true Shamelab!So may are just slaves nowadays..such an apt and needed hub!thanks!:)
My family definitely comes first but, sometimes my wife makes me feel I should make work a bigger part of my life to get more money. Yet she also wants me home as much as I can to help out. I'm lucky in that my work has no problem with my family being first. It is a small company and everyone is treated great. Unfortunately by being a small company the benefits cost about a 4th or more of my pay and aren't very good. So to compromise I'm doing my best to make money on the web while everyone else is sleeping so I don't take away from my time with them. It is tough but, you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess. I don't want my kids to go hungry. But, I also do my best to spend time with them as opposed to working my butt off to by them everything they want. I would love to ditch the cell phone. But, I need it in case of emergencies. Then since I'm carrying it my family and friends mine as well call me all of the time.
Finally someone comes out point blank on this issue. Well done.
Maybe another reason so many are slaves is that they are afrain to speak up, like you have done. I have a friend who was just fired from a job because he refused to work the hours they demanded. Anyway, the way he worked he was a slave.
I think the main reason so many are slaves is the financial reason. With all the techonology - the cost of living has risen, instead of lowering it, as was once promised. The more technology it seems the more slaves we are creating.
But notice how many are successfully getting out - the work from home business industry is thriving, and that is due to technology
Most excellent, all great points.
G|M never works at a job, he allows people to hire him if he likes enough about the place.
You're welcome lyla. Thanks
I can understand your diligence dear jim10. You strive to satisfy your job plus your family needs and that’s great! Keep up the good work.
You're right BirteEdwards, techs and economy are the major factors behind this and I am sorry for your friend. As long as he chose his life, he will be fine.
Hi lxxy, thanks for your comment and regards to G/M :)
I'm not :)
Good for you Indigenous.
Are you writing this from jail shamelabboush?
Nope, but working many hours a day makes it like that!
if you're not,- why this title :)
Because, as far as I know, everyone is a slave to a job some way or another!
I'm not :)
So, you don't work?
Nope
No wonder then!!!
Very good and thought provoking hub shamelabboush. Prioritizing is what is most important. Making more money is not the "end all." So many people get caught up in that rat race to "keep up with the Joneses." Now........for some, sadly, the bosses make them stay long hours or risk losing jobs. That is the reality for some who truly are the modern day slaves.
We should all start bartering goods and services as one fellow hubber is doing up in the Northwest part of our country. Get away from money. Wouldn't that be great?
"Mommy, I don't want to work. Please don't make me.................."
That's why I'm a fulltime student.LOL.
Just joking. Great hub and subject matter.
Sometimes you have to just say no. Right now very few people face their work situation honestly and do what is right because they think they will starve. Often that isn't anywhere close to true, it's just their own fear stopping them. If you work for yourself doing something you care about you will work harder and make less money (most of the time) and you will have to learn a lot of new things and you will always be hustling. You may have to live much more modestly. You may fail sometimes. It's easier to just be a slave, but it isn't always better or right. Thanks for the hub and for raising the issue.
I couldn't say it better. Excellent point of view, and a BIG BIG TRUTH!
What a great hub. I like it. My husband is a slve, but he likes being that! The more he wants around the house, he knows the more work he will need to have. I am a homemaker and his Executive Secretary, "A Knight's Wife" and am sort of a slave in that. Housewive's don't have set hours and everything is home! LOL
As long as you pay taxes, you are a slave to government, no matter what you do for living :(
Slavery means not having a choice. But most people do have a choice. In fact, we have many different choices. To work or not to work. To be paid in fiat currency or some other way. If we work for others, we can still choose what kind of work and how much. If we don't want to pay taxes, we can make sure not to earn enough fiat currency so as to fall into a taxable level of income.
Lastly, it is possible to give away the choices you have, simply because you adore your employer. It's unusual, but historically there have been slaves who have said: "I am glad to be a slave because I love my master!"
Good point Misha.
Yes Peggy W, it will be great indeed coz after all, we seek wealth but it turns into greed eventually. Thanks for your nice comment.
Good for you RKHenry, being student is nice...
Dear pgrundy , your comment has a very strong point of view, sometimes, it's better to be independent...
Thanks jonixk, we all know that for sure but we are just afraid to say so.
Dear Lady Guinevere, your husband likes being a slave bcz he is not aware of the sweet, little and nice moments he's spending!!! Thanks
Excellent point Misha, I like it... Thanks.
Hi Aya Katz , I know we are slaves by our own choice, that's why we are called: The New Age Slaves! :) Many Thanks
I could not agree more, I feel as though I spend my life working to pay bills. Although I am grateful for my job, I seldom get the opportunity to enjoy doing things with family & friends. I'm always broke or tired!
Exactly like me kloutman69, i always feel tired to go out after work so I just go home to sleep and wake the next day to do the same and so forth...
This was an excellent read I must say. Very true! Keep up the good work!!Pete
Thanks Tuff Kid for the comment.
Yes i do think in some ways we are slaves to socity in one way or another in our socity the fascist pigs rlue the world. soo any way just check out www.playandsearch.com & www.dldirectory.com
Nice post, true, were all robots in a way! Cheers!
Thanks dear zens28,
Of course Jonaz! It's a fact. Thanks for the comment.
Great stuff! The modern-day slavery in search of the allmighty dollar.
Want to escape from slavery? As a response to your hub I've written thoughts of my own for you to consider...
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-escape-from-wage-sl
Windtraveller
Windtraveller Hi, you just spotted the real malady of the neo-age... :) thanks. Will visit your hub.
I liked this. I find it funny that by your definition, I was more of a slave when I was in charge. Now, I only fit one of the definitions, working past my designated hours, and that rarely. No wonder I feel so free! :D
True K@ri especially that you have two kids as I recall. You should give them some of your time. :) Thanks dear.
One reason I was ready to be done with that job. Hugs, shamel!
Indeed, for the loved ones are the most important. :)
And that's why i'm on welfare, it's lesser of two evils.
Good for you Welfareman. Thanks
"Our devotion to pray to God, regardless of any religion, comes from our psychological satisfaction towards ourselves when we do it."
...that's all I got to echo about that.
Well done, stick a fork in it.
Wow, thanks oscillationatend for the comment!
Shamel,
This is so true of way too many people! Reclaiming work/life balance is incredibly difficult, especially in this economy, where fear drives people to give more and demand less.
I've always thought Europeans got it right. Work as a means to live a fulfilling, happy life, rather than work as a means/ends unto itself.
Must confess -- I drink my coffee black without sugar because that is how I like it:-).
Chuckd the corporate rat race in 2002 and could not imagine going back to it. Life IS too short -- and way too precious.
This is a definite thumbs up hub. LOVE IT!! MM
Hey, Mighty Mom! Thanks for your beloved comment, appreciate it!
Excellent title, hub and point of view. For any of us its relatively easy especialy this day and age to be or become a slave at any point life.
But...for the bold, brave and passionate ones that strive each day(even if its just a little) to aim not to be-slaves.. Onward and forward!
I really enjoyed reading this hub, shamelabboush. I used to be a slave in accordance to your check list but no more (I'm between jobs). I guess that just means that I'm a slave looking to be enslaved? Terrible.
Sharing Insight, you had it all so I can't add anything to your comment nor comemnt on your comment. Thanks dear.
dohn121, glad you enjoyed it! I gues we got used to it, I mean being slaves! Thanks for stopping by.
If we are not totally doing exactly we want we want to do all the time, I suppose we are slaves.......
I am a slave.......... must free myself
Hi Brenda, we are all slaves in some way or another but the difference is: are we aware of our slavery?
and even if we are can we get free
I think when you have children you become slaves as you have to put up with so much more crap, so that you earn enough to feed, house and educate them, then you have to slave just that bit extra to be able to buy them the things they want. Our children are our masters.
I guess, Brenda, discovering that you are a slave is the beginning as some people don't know and they think the live normal life!!!
Hahaha, very funny idea cindyvine, I love it :) For sure you're correct, you just touched another point...
Interesting! Hmm... I guess I will go "Slave it up!" lol! Love your hubs ;)
Thanks C. Betancourt, very sweet of you :)
This Hub brings up some valid points to ponder, and I don't mean to turn the tone to something heavier by "disputing"; but I do think some of us aren't quite as "enslaved" as others, even if we do a little after-hours work. Many people enjoy their work (or at least the environment and people with whom they work). Work that pays well and lets us have a nice lifestyle for ourselves (and children if we have them) is sometimes freeing in its own way (whether or not we get other rewards from it).
There's no slave like someone who has been laid off for a long time and can't find work (or an income). There's no slave like someone who can't live where he wants to because of money. There's no slave like someone too sick to be able to work, and there's no slave like people who are trapped in the welfare system and treated as if they're the scum-of-the-Earth by a whole lot people. Having our own business can make us slaves too. Stay-at-home moms can be slaves (and worse) sometimes too. Children at the mercy of some parents can also be slaves. So, the dismal thing is that you're right that a whole lot of us are slaves. :) I think, though, that having demanding work only makes a portion of workers slaves. (I guess I just needed to be "an equal opportunity downer". :) Another way to justify my comments, though, is that maybe I wanted to put some perspective on the "slave thing" for people who do work long hours. :) )
You're right Lisa, everyone sees slavery from a different point of view. Thanks for the nice debate.
IF you wrote this all i need to say is MARVELOUS.uumm it's truth in the content of the word.
thank you for posting this!!im new please be a fan
Alrighty then mindless benji, I will be a fan :) Thanks for the comment.
3cardmonte says:
5 months ago
well said