To me, not many things fit better than sitting in the sun and reading a book. Luckily, we’ve had a few particularly sunny days recently, and I had a book in my purse I’ve been dying to read.
Rules, we use them to govern our everyday actions in society. Whether it’s our workplace, sports teams, or at home, we can find rules that will dictate the decisions we make and how we act. For example, when you’re driving and reach a red light, you stop and wait until the light turns green. In my life, I previously worked for a company that provided employees with flowcharts, and depending on the situation, you would follow the steps when making decisions. These rules show us how we should act in different situations and environments. But, at what point are the rules dictating too much of our lives? What point do the rules and policies essentially squash any use of common sense and critical thinking?
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During my time at the Foundation, some of the organizations we’ve spoken with have highlighted that the implemented rules and regulations can sometimes act as a barrier to achieving the goals they want. They find themselves essentially lost in the control of the policies and regulations in place. Eloy van Hal, the founder of the Hogeweyk, provides a great example of how we can get lost in policies during his interview with Vox. Eloy mentioned how typical long-term care institutions place handrails everywhere, but is this necessary? Why not provide individuals with a walker, so the space is more accessible? If you’re interested in Hogeweyk, I recommend taking a look at Providence Living at the Views, a not-for-profit dementia village located in Comox, BC, where the long-term care environment feels like a home.
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So, what do we do when we feel lost in the midst of policies and regulations? After reading “Lost in Control” by Wouter Hart, I believe there needs to be a balance between having direction, but also space for us to use our critical judgment. While it can be nice to have a flow chart outlining if X happens, respond with Y, when we do this, we aren’t able to respond with critical thinking and common sense. We lose the option to respond to situations in a unique manner and can sometimes stray away from our original aims and goals. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that all rules, regulations, and laws are overkill and unnecessary. I believe there is a need for a level of control to ensure utter chaos doesn’t erupt, but there needs to be balance. I think in some situations, we need to examine where the rules came from, and what the intention is.
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I wish I could say I have all of the answers of how we should act, and what we should do, but overall I think it’s important to remember that as humans, we can and should be able to use our critical judgment and common sense to respond to situations.
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If you find yourself with some spare time, I highly recommend reading through “lost in control” and reflecting on your life to see if you relate to any of the examples provided. Let us know your thoughts!
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Until next time,
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Meagan
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