Page 188 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

It’s easy to make decisions when the choice is between good and bad. Another way to think of this is that
when your values are not in conflict, choices are easy. But the vast majority of personal obstacles and difficult
circumstances involve situations where two values you believe in are in conflict with one another. This was
the situation Sandra found herself in because she valued her family and helping out with her niece, but she
also valued doing well in school. In these situations, applying the Personal Development Methodology,
with its emphasis on assessing, planning, prioritizing, and adjusting, can help you sort through competing
values, and appreciate that rarely do things come down to an “either/or” solution.
It is an interesting fact that popular movies and books make great use of the idea of competing values; they
give characters depth and complexities that make a lasting impression on audiences. With this in mind,
consider the movies you watch and the books you read and share one instance where a favorite character had
to deal with competing values. (Use the lists of values in Valuing Self and Valuing Others that appeared
in the discussion of the Personal Development Methodology for the values you’re examining.)

Sandra’s response:
I really love the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. The character of Roland
of Gilead is a loner who has a quest he has to complete. He’s in it for very
personal reasons—it’s all about him following his convictions. But he’s
also a kind of knight and has been taught to serve others and to help
those in need. If he hadn’t had that conflict, he could’ve just run straight
for the Dark Tower (his goal). But he kept being pulled by his need to
help others, at the same time he was pulled by the need to follow his
convictions. I hadn’t really thought about it this way but it does sort of
mirror my situation...I’m on my own quest to get to the‘top’of the ivory
tower (school) and still be a good sister and aunt (not quite a “knight”
but close). Suddenly, I want to read the whole series again!

182 Foundations of Learning