When I was about 25, my boss invited me to a breakfast with “local business leaders.” I was kind of honored. I thought he might be sponsoring me for the Rotary or Elks club. Everyone was dressed in business attire. We arrived a few minutes late, but the guy who was speaking was very inspirational. I was trying to figure out what “club” this was. But since I was late, I put that question aside. I figured I missed the introduction.
The next guy got up and was equally dynamic. He was talking about how he had made a substantial fortune using something called “network marketing.” That was the first time I had heard that term. I was intrigued. He was drawing diagrams with concentric circles. When he got the last circle, he used the dreaded word…Amway!
But my boss assured me that Amway was an outdated concept. This was not that pyramid scheme my parents had warned me about. This was a new paradigm. I bit. I should have run. My parents told me it was a waste of money. But I knew better…
…Six months later, I moved. I did not leave any forwarding information.
It was in fact: a pyramid scheme.
But I am nothing if not naïve. Fast forward twenty years later. I was burned out on religion. I was twisting and torturing my mind to hold on to my faith, but failing miserably. Then a friend came along and started talking to me about the “nones.” People who were spiritual but not religious. Really? Go on…
And so it began. My 2 year attempt to re-brand my Christian faith into a new paradigm. But wait you say, “Isn’t that the same ‘Ole Time Religion’?”
Why no!…
…No, this is completely different…
…The clergy are not the drivers…
…This is about people…
Until…
…until its not. At the end of the day, it is still about putting butts in the seats. It is not about building up people. It is about drawing a crowd and getting their money. And if you do anything that threatens the bottom line, you will be tossed aside like a bad penny.
It is my own fault. I let the parasites in. I believed the hype.
It stung like hell, but I think I am getting back to some sense of normalcy.
Next post….12 steps to free your mind.
