Article June 2, 1997 Issue

Helping out ... or part of the problem?

Alan Grayson

Many years ago I shared an apartment with four other friends. In one of the rooms was a plaque on which a little, baldheaded man with a big nose was peeking over a wall. Also on the plaque was this provocative question: "Are you helping out, or are you part of the problem?" I thought then, and still believe, it's something we need to ask ourselves frequently.

When we're faced with a problem, sometimes the temptation comes to resort to self-pity or to resign ourselves to the difficulty. But by understanding and applying the concept of a perfect, loving God and of man in His spiritual image and likeness, we can start to work our way out of, instead of compounding, the troubles facing us.

At one point my work in local government necessitated regular consultation with officers from other departments. Initially I was favorably impressed by one of my direct counterparts, who seemed knowledgeable and competent. As our collaboration continued, however, it took a definite turn for the worse. Time after time, good ideas that I proposed were analyzed negatively, and obstacles to their being put into practice were envisaged. I found myself becoming openly hostile to what I regarded as my colleague's stonewalling tactics. Whereas I had once keenly anticipated our meetings, I now looked for excuses to defer them or to keep them as short as possible. And I began to regard him as, if not a personal enemy, at least an enemy to progress.

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