Saturday, March 21, 2026
I had a hero complex. Some believe themselves essential to the wellness and survival of an organization, a person, or a group. I once got out of jury duty because I believed I was an “essential employee.” No one could cover my classes, my rehearsals, or run the department. I convinced the questioner that if I weren’t at school, things would “fall apart.” Not long after I got out of jury duty, I ended up in the hospital for a week. Imprisoned.
Lo and behold, everything continued smoothly in my absence. A performance was postponed; the associate dean stepped up and took care of things requiring signatures; schedules were rearranged; and issues were taken care of. Classes were dealt with, assignments were given, and all was copacetic. All in my absence.
I want you to awaken from your hypnosis that you are essential to whatever organization you are a part of, whatever you’re in charge of, and whomever you feel to be integral to your financial and emotional “support.” Whatever you feel you cannot do without, and whatever you feel cannot do without you, is your god.
Who or what is your essential? Who or what is essential to you? Death will take you out of the equation. Then what? Death will erase the hypnosis that your spouse is essential to your happiness, your place of employment is essential to your being there, or your money is essential to your survival.
Your gods will be taken. You will recover from the illusion of essentiality or hero-dependency syndrome. Nothing will reign higher than what’s essential. Your anxiety about your “essential duty” is nothing but idolatry in a business suit.
When your hypnotic gods vanish, and you recover, you’ll know the essence of which I am writing.