Competition vs. HW2

Today's post is a reflection on our competitive society and its impact (mostly negative) on our health, wellness and wholeness (HW2). Proponents of competition suggest that it creates stronger groups - everyone gets better because they are trying harder to "win". However, as we witness in professional sports, the "haves" consistently do better than the "have-nots". Thus, competition can work in HW2, but only if there is a truly level playing field where everyone has the resources and community support that they need to succeed.

Competition gets destructive when it becomes divisive. That is, when the win-lose mentality becomes the only driving force, and the goal of the competition becomes secondary or forgotten all together. Then there is no community, there is only win-lose, and even those who have competed admirably feel defeated and morose when they finish less than first. How does this apply to our HW2?

Health insurance reform will soon bring tens of millions of persons into the healthcare system who have been exisiting on the fringes. They will be competing with well established persons for limited amounts of health care practitioners and services. Who will win in this competitive environment? Will these newly incentivized persons be able to find healthcare? Will they be able to pursue HW2 to the extent that those of us who are better positioned (and better funded)? What is our role in the social injustice that will surely accompany this influx of persons?

Health insurance reform has not fundamentally changed the problems in us as a society. We still have the win-lose mentality, and as long as "me and mine" are cared for to the full extent of my ability, then the rest of the country can take a hike. Until we see in the "other" the humanity and brother or sisterhood of a person who is every bit as necessary to our HW2 as our own families, then we will continue to struggle with the societal issues that have plagued every developed nation.

There can be no competition in our pursuit of HW2. Each of us must work to help every person we can become actualized and empowered to realize their own HW2. In this way, we all will find wholeness.

Peace,
Dan