more aligning, less grinding

The adage in social media today (and I suspect prior with Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and others) is to align; terminology may differ.  We hope that we align with our goals; ultimately alignment in general comes first and allows you to understand if your goals align with your higher self in the particular.  I certainly hope I align with my goals.  They are heartfelt goals.  Grinding is the old way; the hourly way.  Alignment is something different.  We sit mostly live in a grind culture where Jamie Dimon can compare the adventures of a 7-day work weekend as the CEO of JPMorgan Chase with the life of everyday financial or engineering professional or, in my case at the extreme, a butcher and meat manager.  I have done 7-day work weeks.  It wrecks an intellectual mind and congests and inflames anyone's body.  All this reflects Dimon's narcissism and privilege.

I am committed to alignment culture.  It does not mean I don't work hard or even love hard work.  I am a 1st decan Capricorn - twice ruled by Saturn and determined to achieve goals through rigor.  Still, alignment is only reasonable response to the post-colonial, late-stage capitalist shit show we find ourselves in.  Such a method seems less effective in less developed economies but even that idea need interrogation.  2nd and 3rd incomes (or working two shifts a day) can be fun but as a philosophically presumptive response to post-modernity such measures with consume your peace and your body.