The World is a Swimming Pool Analogy

Sometimes it is helpful to try a new way of looking at things.  I call this my theology or analogy of "The World is a swimming pool".  I chose this analogy because I wanted something that showed that any of our actions can affect others.  Obviously, some metaphors or analogies break down at some point, so let's keep it simple.

Imagine that we are all in this pool together, the good the bad and the not so nice.  Some of us just want to have fun in the pool and enjoy the life we have there.  We also do our best to make it a pleasant experience for others.  But for some reason, there are some, usually just a few, who really don't care about the rest of the people in the pool, and instead of going to the lavatory, they relieve themselves in the pool and leave floating evidence of their selfish acts.

Of course, this is obvious to everyone in the pool but since the pool is our home we cannot simply leave.  So people have any number of reactions

Some people are quick to point out the obvious.  They go on and on about it making sure that everyone notices that they noticed.

Others want to blame someone and quickly affix blame to anyone not like them.  Some of the despoilers capitalize on this start blaming others to direct attention away from them.

Some people suggest that laws need to be passed to penalize those creating the mess and suggest that "someone" should do something about it.

And one group immediately looks for ways to clean things up.

So I would classify the residence into a few groups

Group 1 - The filth makers.  They don't really care about themselves or anyone else.  That is why they make a mess.

Group 2 - The flustered.  They are upset about what they see but are unwilling to do much besides complain by pointing out the obvious.

Group 3 - The fixers.  They are the ones looking for solutions.

The filth makers are making a negative impact, The flustered create anxiety and ill feelings but do little to improve the situation, only The fixers actually improve things.  I think we all fit into one or more of these categories.  We may, in fact, be in any one of the groups on a given day, depending on the circumstances and our own attitudes and preferences.

I came up with this analogy quite some time ago, but as of late I have seen a lot of people complaining about litterers at Lake Tahoe.  Admittedly it bugs me, but I don't live there, so there really isn't anything I can do to help the problem short of taking time off and going up there to help the clean up efforts.  But I think I will keep my efforts concentrated on my own town.

What I can do is try to educate.  I am a teacher and preacher and this little blog is one of my outlets for talking about things that I think are worth discussing.

I think the solution (fixing) will be found in three vanes: Education, confrontation and action.

A.  Education isn't complaining and posting pictures on FB about how horrible it is.  Educating is working with people in your sphere of influence to help them see:

1. The effect the undesirable behavior has on others and thereby hopefully preventing the pool griming behavior. 
2.  How a pool (world) without added filth is a much more pleasant place to live.

B.  Confrontation is not retribution.  Confrontation is lovingly approaching people and encouraging them to clean up after themselves.  We don't need to name call or criticize.  But rather help them to see that we are watching and we will not ignore the behavior that adds filth to our home.  If they refuse to respond, look them in the eye and then clean it up yourself.  They may laugh at you, but you are not there to gain their approval, you are there to demonstrate and encourage behavior that makes for a better pool (world).

C. Action means actually doing something.  Do something positive to correct the situation.  Again this is not merely posting on FB and complaining about those who make a mess.  Taking action means organizing a clean up effort, coming up with creative solutions or just cleaning up what is right there in front of you.  Don't do it for approval, do it for the sake of all of us living in the pool.  Your actions may inspire others to come along side and help.  Always focus on the positive.  Show how easy it is. Don't complain about having to do it, that is just trying to draw attention to yourself ("See how good I am and how bad they are!").  An atheist might say do good for goodness sake but I'm a Christian, I say do it for the glory of God, for the love of His Creation and to demonstrate love to those who live with us in the pool (world).

I think that Filth Makers fall into one of the following subcategories and I have included my suggested way of dealing with them

1. Uneducated with regard to keeping the pool clean.  To them things being a mess may seem normal.  The best way to deal with them is to confront, educate and invite them to help you clean things up.
2. The Broken - not everyone was raised in a household where they felt loved and cared for.  Some people have grown up in squalor and don't know any different.  Dirty seems normal and they many not even think they are equipped to clean up after themselves, let alone anyone else.  Once again confrontation, education and invitation will help them see that there is a better way. 
3. The Disabled/disadvantaged - some people are really unable to clean up after themselves.  Either they are physically or mentally challenged or they are so exhausted or beatdown that they cannot pick up after themselves.  The only answer to that is to help them, by cleaning up after them and or helping them get respite.  If they are willing, you could encourage them to do what they can, which comes back to service, education and inspiration.
4. The Forgetful - Have you ever been to an event and afterward there are half empty soda cans everywhere?  Children are especially bad about this, especially if no one has worked to teach them to pick up after themselves.  Once again confronting, educating and inviting are the answers.  Help them get a sense of accomplishment in helping keep the pool clean.  However just chiding those who forget does little to help them remember next time.
5. The Spiteful or privileged - There are those who either have always had someone to clean up after them or for whatever reason hate those who ask them to clean up after themselves.  I don't really know all the psychology behind such thinking, but again confronting, educating and inviting them to help is the preferred method of dealing with them.  If they disrespect you or call you names, let it go.  Just continue to confront them when you catch them in the act and invite and demonstrate by example.

I can't finish this piece without spending a bit of time on the flustered.

The Flustered feel the need to inform people.  Their motivation may seem genuine, but ultimately it is selfishly motivated.  They decry the wrong but in so doing they merely point out the obvious and bring attention to themselves.  I would like to suggest some possible motives or mindsets.

1.  They don't believe that they can do anything, so they hope by alerting others that "someone" will do something.
2. They want to point out that they are not someone who would leave filth in the pool. "See, I'm one of the good ones who doesn't make messes."
3. They feel anxious about the mess in the pool and they are trying to relieve that anxious feeling.
4. They are embarrassed because they had accidentally fouled the pool and are trying direct attention away from themselves.

So much of this comes down to our values and worldview.  If we tend to protect that which we find valuable to us but not everyone values the things we do.  If you value natural beauty and cleanliness, then you will most likely do what you can to not spoil it but if you value yourself and your pleasure most, then you may not care about natural beauty or cleanliness.  I highly suspect that those who themselves have not felt valued may not be able to value things like beauty or be willing take others into consideration.

Even though I have classified people's response, that is not meant to label as much as to educate and inform.  We need to look at ourselves and examine our motives.  I hope and pray that this article has encouraged you to do so.  I have tried to confront and educate you here.  If you feel insulted or criticized, I would suggest your take a closer look at yourself.  When we feel criticized we can do one of two things, we can whine about it, or we can take a look in the mirror and decide if the criticism was deserved or if it really doesn't apply to us.

However you react to this article, I pray that you would begin to think and act towards making our world a better place to live.  As an old adage goes, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

The bottom line:  As long as there are enough of us working to make our world a better place by educating, confronting and acting things will improve.

Don't feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.  Maybe you cannot save the world, but you can make that part of it which is in your sphere of influence a bit better.   One last thought... to quote the Apostle Paul, "Don't get tired of doing the right thing" (Preacher Al's paraphrase). He encourages us with this word because there will be days when you want to throw in the towel, but keep at it, whether you realize it or not, you are making a difference.