A Corporate Fishy’s KILLER View From The Top

Woooow! Check out that view!” yells one of my coworkers as we stare out of the window of a Chicago skyscraper. We were working from a room which had been dubbed “The Fish Bowl” for its 360 degree glass encasing. We sat there in awe for a few moments as we marveled at the awesomeness that is the the Chicago skyline. Indeed it was a beautiful view, even from the 34th floor.

Our coworkers working in other locations often made comments on how fortunate we were to be in this particular spot. In my previous field of work, we spent the majority of our time working out of our client’s office, wherever they decided to put us (literally). Considering the shithole of a workstation some of my corporate amigos had, many would say we were living large!… So, while being housed in a shiny new fishbowl, I suppose satisfaction should be the appropriate feeling.

Right?

I guess it depends on perspective. Most of us at some point have had a fish tank where we kept our beloved pets. In the beginning the bowl is an amazing sight to see…Sparkly glass, cool toys, and beautiful fish!…That is, until those little critters spend some time inside. After awhile it becomes a contraption filled with confused animals circling the bowl swimming in swirls of meaningless shit they put out the day before. Oh and that sparkly glass is now filled with green algae, which means those slimy slug looking things are on there way to clean off the glass.

Is it just me or does this fishbowl seem eerily similar to another fish bowl we were talking about? Hmmm… Little fish swimming in their own crappy Corporate white papers. The highlight of the day is when the window washers risk their lives swinging from a rope while sucking dirt off of “The fish bowl.”…or even better, when bossman opens the lid and smiles while the little fishies fight over scraps of money. Sounds like more of a shitbowl to me.

After reconsidering the comment by my coworker, I began using my brain (as opposed to someone telling me what to think). Who REALLY has the good view? Was it the fish in the bowl, face pressed up against the glass, staring in awe at life on the outside…OR… Was it the fish actually living an extraordinary life on the outside, creating the view we yearned to experience?

As a corporate soldier it’s easy to get caught up in your own little world. But, in comparison to all of the opportunities and lifestyle choices available, your world is actually about the size of a fish bowl. Hopes and dreams are kept bundled up as you stare out of your 34 story glass encasing amazed at the scenery of REAL people enjoying REAL life. So really….Who has the better view?

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