I just stared working at Whole Foods. There are many reason I want to work there, mostly because they stand for something I believe in. That is helping people live healthy lives by offering healthy foods and products for their bodies and the earth.
While sitting down on my break today I got into a brief but thought provoking conversation. I told a fellow co-worker that, for starters, I really like my new job. He asked what brought me to Whole Foods and I told him that I wanted to work for a company that resonates with my personal beliefs and lifestyle. He went on to tell me that Whole Foods once may have been a grassroots type of business, but it now falls short of its mission statement in many ways. Unfortunately, this is true, it's become a huge corporation. My reply and defense of Whole Foods is that I really believe that no matter how hard you try to spread the gospel of what you truly believe, you will fall short somehow and in some way.
I don't in any way feel that I am in somehow justifying the fact that Whole Foods has become a monster in its own right. I'm simply pointing out the fact that no matter what it is you say you believe in, NOTHING is 100%. There is no possible way that any company, who strives to be as big and successful as it is, can avoid things like stepping on others to get to the top or bending the rules to stay there.
This really can be said for a lot of things. Things like religious organizations and other non-profit organizations are just as much at fault in this regard as any large company may be. A sin is a sin so to speak.
Whatever it is that makes you believe in something, stick to it. While you're sticking to it, understand that there is no such thing as perfection. There really isn't any reason to step on your neighbor's toes to get them to start doing yoga and shopping at whole foods. Or stand up for abortion rights or Jesus either. Be who you are. Let people see the good. Let them see the bad if it's the truth. That is the greatest witness to whomever is close to you in your life.
But I do say, believe in something that is good. Something true and real. People will love and respect that about you. And hey, they might even join you!
