Competitive vs Connection Energy in Modern Culture
Posted on March 21, 2014 by Adrian Wild, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
The imbalance of competitive energy in our culture and why we need to move to connecting energy
We thrive in this technologically advanced culture through competition; we win at work, at our games, at money and at war. The competitive mindset is objective, concise, direct, intense, and un-emotional. Execution is the key and to the victor goes the rewards: honor, privilege, and notoriety.
It is epitomized in our culture, for how else do we get all the things to have a great life, to be significant, to be celebrated?
Many of today’s television series have characters whose first names are “Agent”. They are unemotional unapologetic experts who objectively handle their intense jobs with machine like execution, powered by an endless source of confidence.
These shows are indicative of the values in our culture and many men and women align their identity in this way of being. They work endless hours gathering significance in the competition mind set. They then go to the gym to exercise and expand this competition image. With strong developed bodies, they say nothing to each other as they pass through the locker room, viewing each other as potential advisories rather than potential friends. As they relate to the others in their lives, they are almost as disconnected, having objectified their love for pleasure and pride.
Although an excellent source of energy for survival, competition by itself is not an excellent source of a larger responsibility or a fulfilled life. For one in this state can easily say, “I make good money, I drive a nice car, have a nice home, have a sexy spouse, we take amazing vacations, eat great food and our kids are taken care of” And yet, in the midst of their own community: people do not have anywhere near the same advantage, eco-systems are failing, and it is common for people to take anti-depressants. In the midst of their own person they find they are not fulfilled and divorce is a common option.
There is something missing in their relationships but they are not sure how to solve the issue for the core of the competitive mindset is to be in control. The feeling that something is missing indicates a loss of control. Therefore their mistaken solution is more: more time at work, more prestige in their jobs, more money to spend, more materials to buy, more time at the gym. The cycle continues with people being bated by marketers as they entertain themselves with corporate created realities, who’s only focus is to perpetuate this misconception.
Progressive individuals, who see this trend, object and state that we must move to a more connection focused energy, to appreciate life, the virtues of acceptance, to the love of nature in every corner of the earth. A connection based reality that is in the now: A higher calling of awareness that compels the observer to take responsibility for their own wellbeing, of others, of future generations and the planet.
However, to move in to a more connection focus, requires vulnerability. It requires a deeper connection and awareness of others. The risk is higher for pain but also higher for joy. The competition mindset does not see value in this for vulnerability equates to weakness and potential loss but there is value, tremendous value.
For when we are no longer ashamed of being ourselves, when the deluge of perfection and the fallacy of success is dismissed as inefficient for the real expression of who we are, then we can begin to see what is so, rather than the marketed competitive ideal. And in what is so is ourselves as we are: human, vulnerable, revealed and emotionally open. Here one begins to see that in their imperfection, their uniqueness, their acceptance and love, they are enough. As one does, the need for over developed competitive energy constructs: competition, war, materialism, pride and ego are diminished. One’s values are now focused to a better quality of life for all in a sustainable way rather than a selfish race for the last bits of wealth and resources of a dying planet. Cultural expectations are washed clean and a vast diversity of individuals are not only discovered but celebrated instead of guarded against. The thoughts of helping nature, others are not associated with loss but with a rich reward in the wonder of creation, connection and love. Here we are complete.
Competitive energy is great against the perils of our existence but it is only part of the equation. To be complete we must move to vulnerability, appreciation, responsibility and a deeper fulfilled life. We must move towards connection.
