The Element of Competition & the Concept of Time.

Competition no doubt produces results but the specie of results is what should be of paramount concern to us. A State of perfect competition in Economics is described as a situation where the sellers & buyers of a given commodity are so many that no one single-handely can influence Price or Quantity bought and sold of such a product. But this situation is utopian as it is hardly obtainable in reality. Buyers or sellers would always converge to act in ways that promote their interest(s). In this situation market forces of demand and supply can never equilibrate the system. In other words a state of perfect competition can never be without a deliberate check and balance like Government intervention. But when Government fails out of corruption, the economy is left in the hands of capitalism that does nothing but promote the interests of a few minority who have a firm grip on the factors of production.

When human Beings are pitched against themselves for whatever reason, competition breeds. Be it in a cage, school or race track the aim remains one thing-to outshine others. This is not too good. Promulgating a decree or promoting a system just because it benefits you and probably a few is a selfish act that ignores the majority who out of their natural endowment do or might not fit into these schemes. The consequence is that a new yard stick of success and well being is introduced and everyone begins to acquire things and ways that would enable them fit into these schemes irrespective of their beliefs and natural endowments. In my opinion, competition is to a large extent for amusement and Entertainment. By making it the bedrock of our schooling system we failed woefully because we never gave it a careful thought. Today we talk about conspicuous consumption and it's devastating  negative effects which have placed many individual and household units in a vicious cycle of debts that only an exogenous injection of funds can halt. When savings is used to finance  conspicuous consumption then what is left for Investment? Conspicuous consumption is nothing more than emulating the consumption patterns of the developed nations without a commensurate income. We copy because we want to be like. And we want to be like because we believe we can be like. The root of conspicuous consumption is a sense of competition. Of course we all are running a race but for Heaven's sake not against ourselves? Remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood! In other words our enemies are not our opponents as we have been taught to think. Rather it is the principles that produce these belief systems of trying to be the best or be better than others. Competition can never be healthy! It is not about who comes first, second or third. Neither is it about who makes a first class or pass degree in the University. What we should promote is a culture of Diligence! In other words we should focus on finishing our race or completing our course and not finishing first or last. Combining this issue of competition with Time worsens everything. Time wouldn't be a problem to the diligent. There is always plenty of time to do whatever you want to do because time stands still, waiting for you to use it. The clock gives us this illusion that time moves. The only difference between 2p.m today and 2p.m tomorrow is what happened or took place within each. A Harvard Business review edition stated that the best way to be in competition is to be out of competition. In other words one should produce a UNIQUE set of products or service that is unrivaled in the market. The attention there is the word UNIQUE. To be unique is to look at what is inside and draw it out. As no two fingerprints are the same, no two human beings possess the same gifting and talents. This should be our focus as it is our strength! To draw out what is inside each by exposing each to different things as well as circumstances.

UNMERITED LOVE

I didn't want to do it. I knew I shouldn't. But your influence was so strong. I tried to hide my weakness but couldn't. I was enchanted and enslaved. Your portion was too strong for me! I was told not to. My instincts were bare. My fears confirmed it. But my decision making became a drag. It became too heavy for me. The elixir of your love and the future I painted on the canvas of my mind produced the strongest drug ever known. I was willing to die 4 you. I would risk anything for you. I risked my freedom for you. I abandoned people. I abandoned things. Just to cling to you and be assured of beholding of your beauty every morning.I Loved you when I couldn't explain it. I needed a companion. A pretty one at that. You were a treasure to me. From the first day I wanted to have you all to myself and I did get what I wanted as always and usual. The gates of hell couldn't stand in my way of having you. Even the Devil saw it and gave way at the fierceness of my determination. I was unstoppable. Where did that Energy surge come from? Even when you treated me wrong I still loved you in anticipation of a change. Though a Lion I became a Lamb. I would have paid the ultimate price then. For I was a super fool for your love and to some extent still is. But the portion is wearing out. Because I laid my love on the floor you trampled upon it. But now I would take it to the highest height. Now I know why Love should be labored for. My only conviction would be that you love me as I have loved you. Undeserving & unmerited and yet given. Love me as I have loved you!

THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS

There is a Light in the Darkness! The Darkness could not understand it. The Light thought towards the annihilation of the Darkness but held on as it was Light(Full of Understanding). For it discovered that it was for it's sake and that the darker it got, the more it shined.

There is a reason we are what we are. We are because something else is. Sometimes our destiny demands the destruction of that for which we are. But let us remember that this means our destruction as well. Yes, it is good to see but if we don't close our eyes at times we won't appreciate our sight. For this reason things co-exist. We fight once in a while but let us always understand that without each other we lose our identification and with our sense of direction and purpose.

My talent is a light in the Darkness. It is ignited by your negativity. So many times I thought a separation would do us good. But my patience and slowness to anger I now know is yet another Gift. For without it my reasoning would not have been engaged towards a co-existence. For your sake I am what I am. We might not agree all the time but nevertheless we are together. I am because you are! The Light is because the Darkness is. For this reason, the Lion will lay down with the Lamb. For this reason I lay with you amidst our misunderstanding.I am the Light and you are the darkness. I am your Light and you are my Darkness!