If HSPs Were in Charge

It's only Wednesday and I've already logged forty-two hours at my job. Yes, that's right folks. Forty-two hours in three days. That's forty-two hours worked without any "scheduled" breaks or lunches. Now, some of you may be wondering if I get to call it quits and take Thursday and Friday off. HA HA. No such luck, my friends. I still have to service my accounts on those two days and will probably end up with seventy hours or so for the week. No, I don't get paid "real" overtime. Such is the life of a sales rep who works off commission for the current market leader in the salty snacks industry.

Now granted, in about two weeks I'll get a nice fat paycheck for my hard work, seeing as how I'm going to exceed my sales target of $12,105 worth of volume. At almost ten percent plus thirty hours variable rate overtime pay, that's not a bad sum of money for a week's worth of work. Most in the "normal" ranks would be lucky to make that in two or three weeks, given the current salary ranges. Financially, I'm lucky and grateful. But to be honest, I know that money is going to go straight to one of my savings accounts and just sit there for quite some time. So, who really gives a crap? What good does it do me to come home so exhausted I can barely stand up or have just enough time to get ready for bed so I can get up and do it again in five or six hours?

What have I lost in exchange for my time and a flush of benjamins? Plenty, I think. For starters, I've had to wake up in the middle of the night and work on school for an hour or so and then go back to bed. I haven't been able to work on my writing projects or spend time with friends and family. Really, I haven't even had time to communicate with them. And my poor dog hasn't gotten enough walking or play time. I think it's outrageous and perhaps borderline inhumane. The world's institutions are set up to produce and "win" at all costs, which includes the livelihood and spirits of the people behind them. Most of the world and its structure, of course, is designed by and for non-HSPs.

But what if things were different? What if HSPs were the majority and somehow got to wave a magic wand over the universe? How would it look and feel? What kind of world would we get to experience each and every day? Perhaps one day we'll actually get to see the phenomenon, but for now, here's my idea of its preview:

Time does not exist. No more rushing. No more deadlines. No more schedules.

Money is of no value. Qualitative contributions are the only currency that gets recognized and rewarded.

Rainbows in the sky are a constant occurrence.

Eight to ten hours of rest are mandatory.

You decide what you want to accomplish and when and how you will do it.

Collaboration is the new "mo."

Boxes of tissues are mounted to random trees, countertops, grocery store shelves, couches and car dashboards.

No more violent movies, tv shows or anything that makes you cringe.

Vacations are permanent. You do what you love and get paid for it.

No more gossip or complaining about who's "right" and who's "wrong."

Decisions are made in the best interests of everyone.

People seek to genuinely help others, not just themselves.

Everyone listens first, then talks.

Relationships take priority.

Everyone is treated as a person, not a number.

Imagination and possibilities are not scoffed at.

Pixie dust is given away at every street corner.

Everyone dances and everyone sings.

Silence doesn't mean that you're not communicating.

Art, music, literature, theatre, philosophy and the liberal arts are no longer considered impractical and placed on society's backburner.

Everyone realizes they have more than enough.