Society is all about following the rules

A Spectrum, by James Milne

There can be no doubt whatsoever when a group of people are brought together for a common purpose -- be it training, education or even recreation -- certain rules must be in place for the common good. Rules and regulations simply must be followed for the

benefit of the entire population of a gathering, group, club, unit, school, troop, choir, preparation kitchen, factory, air crew, airport, ship, steam room, repair crew, search and rescue unit or dog pound. Because experience has taught us all over the years that conditions must be stable and predictable in order to control outcomes.

We cross the street when the light is green and stop and do not advance when the light is red, or are very careful and observing when the light is yellow. Why? Because following the accepted rules increases the possibility of having a successful experience and assures the safety and success of the group.

In any program where hundreds of different people come together to work and to learn and prepare for the world of work and the world of living in what we call society some things, some conditions must be predictable for the benefit of the entire body or we will suffer collective failure. A 75 cent washer on the space shuttle that crashed with the astronauts aboard failed and, as a result, we lost millions of dollars in research and hundreds of people wasted their time, and our space program was damaged and families were devastated. It's the little things that need also to be done right and the simple rules that assure us all of a harmonious existence and ultimate success.

We need to be able to depend on one another even for the little things to prepare us to become good future employees and leaders of tomorrow. Self discipline and self control and perseverance and stick-to-it-ness and consideration for one another are important keys to any program that prepares young folks for the world of work. So we have to start with the little things in our daily life so that we get stronger and critically correct as we proceed through the training program and ultimately become a part of the working machinery we call life in the world of work.

If we make mistakes, as we all will, we need to clean up the mess and be ready to get back at once to the issues at hand. Living and working in this world are not solitary endeavors but in most all cases a joint experience. We are not alone in most everything we do and everything we do somehow affects others around us. We need to practice and observe all the ways we affect one another. We keep our radio turned down or off when others are trying to sleep and we pick up debris from the floor and grounds because we care, and we don't waste or spoil or deface anything because we hurt everyone not just ourselves when we do that.

Whatever happens to one of us happens to all of us. We share by example -- there are givers and takers in this world, and you should decide which one you are and work on self improvement and sharing as we go. People who need people are easy to spot in any group. They seem to be there when anyone needs help and are never standing with their hands out except to be of help.

James Milne is Palmer-area resident.