Comm 250 blog Jan 18, 2007

Jan 18 2007

Todays class was interesting and we discussed several things pertaining to both secular and spiritual issues. The game musical chairs was provided and used as an object lesson. It was interesting to see how the "unwritten laws" took over and intstantly it became a competition to win the seat and beat the fellow classmates, the lesson being the fact that often times competition can become a negative thing where there has to be a winner and a loser. Does it always have to be like that?

There are shared several thoughts and opinions on competition, in all aspects of life. In my opinion, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. The entire system of capitalism is based on competition and through such comes better quality and new improvements in research. However, there exists in the business world greed, and that is where it becomes a negative aspect of life. We discussed the 5 cancerous C's in class: competing, complaining, conflict, comparing, and criticizing. I think competition falls into this category when people are no longer treated as people, but as enemies with name calling and "stone throwing."

Now, it certainly is best to find the "win-win" situations over the "win-lose." But, as discussed, such requires high courage and high consideration for others. In many cases, selfishness takes over and our thoughts and desires are only focused on things that benefit us and not others. These principles applied to the Columbia case in the fact that there was both structural flaws and selfish attitudes; no one really wanted to take the blame nor responsibility. And it all came down to the fact that the workers in the end were thinking about themselves and not working completely as a team for the benefit of the astronauts, resulting in the loss of 7 lives.

Spiritually, we can learn from these principles as well. As we discussed in class, the apostles live and work at a higher level of courage and consideration. The ultimate example is the Savior and His attitudes towards all mankind through His actions. We all are striving to be more like Him and to attain charity, the pure love of Christ. This love would be for others, not for ourselves. As in the city of Zion, society and life would be best for everyone if selfishness was diminished and we lived "as one" one with another. After all, that could be considered the law of consecration.

If there's less unselfishness and more win-win situations, there will exist a stronger feeling of family or team and the organization will run as such. All will be blessed and happy, and the jobs will be done.