As a business owner and full time philosopher, I am sometimes at odds over what to write in my business web blog. Should I shamelessly promote my business to the millions of adoring fans, or should I attempt to be philosophically uplifting to the 2 or 3 people who might be interested in something like that? It’s a struggle that I am faced with each time I sit to write.

My philosophy of life is something that sustains me emotionally. It is an underlying thread throughout my life that keeps me on a path of personal growth. It anchors me to deeper meanings, and affords me a more intimate relationship with others. After all, what is life without meaning?

My business on the other hand, sustains me financially. It also makes me responsible to those who choose to work for, and with me – not to mention the many families that continue to seek our services. I’m not only earning a living for my immediate family, but I am providing a living for the wonderful people who work in our offices. I guess I could refer to them as my second family. Each one of them is unique and special, contributing to an organization that focusses on providing incredible service to residents in our community.

Yes, I am quite proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it, in a world of diminishing service and authenticity.  But this is where the line between business and philosophy often becomes blurred. Generally, people tend to separate their personal religious or philosophical beliefs from their business ventures. Business people sometimes fail to apply their higher beliefs into their business activities. As humans we tend to compartmentalize our lives, and separate one area from another, thus allowing questionable behavior into certain aspects of what we do. It offers release from accountability to the world around us. And let’s face it, money drives the bus of progress and wealth.

And that brings me back to the challenge of writing about business, or illuminating the reader with a grand philosophy of life. I find it very difficult to divide and separate my personal philosophy of “service to others” from the business of making a living. A well integrated human being means you do not separate who you are from what you do. I’m certainly not saying I am even partially integrated, but I’m working in that direction.

In order to find balance between business and philosophy, I do everything I can to do good to others; to everyone I meet; to everyone that comes for our services. I refuse to live a meager life of selfishness or disregard for ways I can be of service to other human beings.

In the end, this is where I blur the line between philosophy and business. Business is a social exchange between human beings, but if “service” is the core foundation, we can assure it will culminate in a Win/Win that uplifts all parties involved.