I subscribed to Worthwhile (Motto) and after two issues gave it up. My motto for Motto was “read about the self-absorbed…spiritual materialism at its best.”

Rich – Dennis Kozloski of Tyco fame (or infamy)
Wealty- Warren Buffet
enough said

The “unhappiness” factor in part, for me and my coaching clients, is a function of separation…when one separates from one’s True and Real Self, one’s heart, the only other direction one can move in is towards ego. Ego-driven behaviors, as hard as one tries, can never fill the void of emptiness and deficiency…and like chemical and non-chemical drugs, the efforts to fill the void of unhappiness need to be progressive., i.e., needing more, better, larger, bigger, more expensive, sexier, more handsome, slimmer, and on and on. Happiness..emptiness….enough….not enough…satisfying…unsatisfying…Not unlike Sisyphus.

When we become attached to something or someone in order to have our identity, to define us, (e.g., I am an attorney, I am a runner, I am a superman or a supermom, I am my son/daughter on the honor roll….) instead of being just “me”, that to which we are attached for our self-image, for our identity, for “me”, soon becomes an addiction or an obsession. Why? Because if I lose that connection, then I am “no one” and being “no one” is tantamount to dying (emotionally, psychologically, even physically). So, the, again Sisyphean drive to be someone, to have an identity to remain attached in order to have some sense of (external) value and self-worth.

It’s in this place of attachment, identification, that folks begin to experience disequilibriium and fogginess in mind, emotion, body and spirit and begin to make unhealthy choices at work, at home and at play.

From a place of healthy equilibrium, ideals and ambitions are self-sustaining and supportive. From a place of unhealthy equilibrium, ideals and ambitions are self-destructive and eventually self-defeating.

Great post.