The NHL Lockout: Lessons for the rest of us
Fall is synonymous with the start of the NHL season. My family enjoys watching their favourite hockey stars display their passion on the ice. Sometimes the energy displayed in the living room rivals that of the players!
Every sports fan knows why the NHL season is starting late this year. Because I don't share my family's enthusiasm beyond watching my children compete, this prospect is not a problem for me.
The reasons for the hockey drought are of interest, however. What underlying motive prompts supposedly intelligent people to make decisions where everyone loses? Did the players and owners engage in a childish game of "who will blink first," only nobody did? Or is this an example of what is wrong in our society?
To the casual observer it appears greed is playing a lead role in the negotiations. Each side accuses the other of wanting more than their share. Instead of asking "How much do I need?" the focus is on "How much can I get?" This attitude is not an NHL exclusive; it permeates our society!
Most think that the players could get by with less, but they don't take human nature into account. Pay increases are easily incorporated into our standard of living. The high level of consumer debt in Canada suggests that a majority are living at least one notch above their incomes. And few people willingly accept a salary rollback. Hockey players are no exception, in spite of the extra zeroes on their paycheques.
That contentment is an elusive dream for the owners and players is not surprising. But are they different than the rest of us? How many are truly content? If the advertisements on TV are any indication, our society does not encourage this mindset. Being content is a choice that is hard to make, but with deliberate practice it can become a way of life.
The owners and players have largely ignored the impact on others. Sports reporters and bloggers are probably doing ok, but many people and businesses will soon be suffering. The "me first" focus in our society comes with a lot of indirect costs. When "my rights" are most important, decisions with a negative impact on others are inevitable.
In a previous era Abraham showed his colours in negotiations with his nephew Lot. "Take your choice of any of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I'll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I'll move on to another place" Genesis 13:9 (NLT). Lot chose selfishly, and soon paid dearly for his "me first" decision. In contrast, Abraham's example should be an inspiration to all of us. It demonstrates qualities that are missing from the NHL dispute today.
Perhaps NHL hockey will be reincarnated into a better product, but I doubt it. One thing is sure, however. There are lessons all of us can learn from this dispute.
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