This week I came upon an article that made me start thinking about the concept of entitlement. This article focuses on Jody Wilson-Raybould refusing to vacate her office suite that she was assigned while she was a cabinet minister to Trudeau. You can see the article here in case you want to read it.

Who could blame her for wanting to stay? I want to work there too.  Ms. Wilson-Raybould occupied a suite consisting of 6 offices and a private washroom. 

Despite being offered alternative accommodation, and despite the divorce between her and the party in power, Ms. Wilson-Raybould put up some notable resistance to moving. She even shrewdly deflected from her sense of entitlement by stating: “It seems a bit petty to me”.

Does any of this resonate with you? It sure did with me.

Why are certain people entitled?

Entitlement is a feeling. As you know, feelings always come from your thoughts or beliefs. The belief driving a feeling of entitlement is that you have a right to something. Here are some thoughts that might fuel this belief: 

• I did not receive what I deserved (in the past) so I should get it now. 
• I have been mistreated and I deserve better.
• I have always been given what I wanted. 
• I should be able to live like this.
• I am deserving of special treatment.

Is feeling entitled a bad thing?

Yes and no. It depends if it comes from a mentality of scarcity or abundance.

Believing you deserve something more than someone else comes from a sense of scarcity. Perhaps there were not enough fancy suites for the current party members, yet Ms. Wilson-Raybould felt she should remain the occupant.  Her behaviour, driven by a feeing of entitlement, has a negative impact on her image. What is a politician without an image?

Alternatively, entitlement from an abundance mindset is of no harm.  One can choose to believe that we are all equally worthy and deserving of love, joy, privilege. One can also choose to believe in the plentifulness of these experiences.

Your problems are not unique

I hope this read serves as a warm reminder that the drama at home is actually happening all around. Divorce and entitlement to property can occur anywhere. You are not alone.