Golden Handcuffs

Wikipedia defines golden handcuffs as "a system of financial incentives designed to keep an employee from leaving the company." or better yet: "the term can also refer to any kind of situation in which a generous salary is used to keep an important employee from looking for a more desirable but less certain position."

I've been hearing this term a lot lately. Now, I work for a large corporate employer, and yes the financial security is very nice. It is why I am able to support my family and we are able to have the nice things that we have. But lately, because I've been hearing this phrase so frequently, it's got me wondering about the state of the US and the happiness of our nation. Are we all bound by golden handcuffs of some sort? Maybe not in the literal sense that Wikipedia provides, but by something that doesn't allow us to seek out a more desirable alternative?

I think about housewives of the fifties. Society was their golden handcuffs - if they were in an abusive or empty relationship, they had to stay put. They felt like they had no options. Flash forward to the working mothers of the late eighties and early nineties. They needed to prove they could do it all. So, their golden handcuffs were the facade of having the job and making sure they created a great home life. Look at celebrities who just try to get away, but because they opened their life to the paps, we feel entitled to know every detail of their life ... even when they need to take a break.

In some way, I think we all have our own golden handcuffs. Now ... if only we could all find the universal key and release ourselves. Then perhaps we wouldn't be a nation that is overweight, drowning ourselves in antidepressants, alcohol, drugs and irresponsibility. There's a lot of talk about greenwashing by companies that are trying to latch onto the sustainability movement, but perhaps we should talk about goldwashing -- the fear to take a leap because your bound by something ... be it job, relationship, or society.

If you find the key ... pass it on.

Raindrops and Reflection

When I was young, I used to imagine that I would discover that I later had superpowers. (Who didn't?) And I always thought that it would be that I can control the weather. (Okay, this was way before I knew about Storm and X-Men.)

What I do notice now, in my years of wisdom, is that the weather does have a profound affect on my attitude and that at times of my most dreary, if I look out the window -- it clearly reflects my mood. Perhaps we are all connected to mother Earth much more than we give credit for.

I've been thinking a lot lately about my priorities in life and how I might need an attitude adjustment. I've been working too much and letting work get to me -- not a good thing. It takes away from my ability to focus on the two most important men in my life. The problem is, I work with a handful of people who take work far too seriously, so I think I'm letting it affect me. I mean, I do not work in an industry that makes a dramatic impact on the world (regardless of whatever marketing ploy they have conjured up to make you think otherwise.)

I think I may start dabbling back into writing, anything that can give me a meaningful purpose with the hope of reasonable financial gain so that I can redirect my priorities appropriately.

The Leap

Well ... I've done it. I took the leap. Who knows where I'll land, if anywhere different. Perhaps, it will result in nothing, and a year from now, I still be looking at the same prospects. But I did it. I can't complain, I don't feel any remorse. I feel excitement and energy. Ahhh, perhaps it's just refreshing to know that I actually did it!

Viognier

May was the month of Viognier for my wine club. This delightful beverage is not something I've enjoyed in the past, but let me tell you, it was a lovely discovery. The crowning jewel of the evening was the $60 bottle of the Lys de Volan Condrieu. It was like liquid gold on my tongue. Peaceful, calming and oh so enchanting.

For those not familiar with this great grape, next time you are enjoying spicy cuisine (particularly if it's Asian cuisine) order a glass -- you won't regret it. It's phenomenal!

Now, because I was hosting this month, I actually enjoyed my glasses of wine (meaning, I drank them versus, tasting and spitting out.) And while I didn't even feel the slightest buzz that night, when I finally went to the bathroom, I swear ... I was peeing Viognier! And the next morning, my stomach sat heavily, oh well. It was worth it to discover a beautiful new wine that I can enjoy.

Self-Imposed Cruelty

Today I spent my morning inflicting the worst kind of torture one can do to themselves ... I went bathing suit shopping. With K's swimming lessons starting in three weeks, I knew I needed a new suit. I also knew I wasn't going to really enjoy this adventure. The first place I looked ... I swear, the suits were geared to women who want to show you their belly button -- but from the angle that it's their cleavage. I mean, we are talking LOW CUT mamas. I didn't even bother trying them on, knowing that I needed just a tad bit more coverage than that.

I tried on a gazillion suits and finally out of desperation decided to try Sears at the mall. Well, low and behind, I'm greeted by the Lands End section, and there are many classic suit options available (no ridiculous metallic embellishments or bone beading that is made to look pretty but has no chance to stand up to the function needed of a suit.)

I grabbed many options off the racks and went into the fitting room. The first suit did it. I knew it was the one. It made me feel like I could be confident as I held my son in the pool singing ridiculous water songs and trying to increase his comfort in the water.

Well, it's not for everyone -- bathing suit shopping that is -- but for this mom, it was a cruelty that needed to happen. (Note - that is not me, but it is the suit.)