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Life and Death

Bonus time, big projects at work to complete, goals set for 2012 in motion, and awards season--media is buzzing.

And death--mid-winter, and it seems several artists are offing themselves, some after a torrid affair with addiction. Deep mid-winter.

Workaholism is an addiction as well: one that separates us from the light of our love, our spine, that which makes us most human. It drives us to join with our corporations, rather than our whole selves.

All addictions drain us of our life vitality.

The comments around Whitney's regal presence, talent, voice and the subtraction addiction was from all of that, remind me deeply that our gifts are irrevocably damaged by driving too hard towards pleasure. That pleasure can be a job well done, a project complete, a raise, promotion...

I guess I'm most reminded in this to listen to the support from those who love us. The search for pleasure (whether the high of Valentine's Day Chocolates or a job well done, a rival bested) can trigger for some of us: more, stronger, higher, better, richer, longer. And that drive can sometimes never be fulfilled.

We have to listen to our wise and trusted others, whose relationships we tend and nurture, to take the next right step in sustainable lives. To whom do you turn for wisdom? Is it time to schedule a lunch to talk through how you're navigating your projects, your work, the balance of your life first quarter?

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