When I was in college, I thought Catch-22 was a great book. I have no idea why I felt that way then, since so much of it involves the ridiculous of war, corporations, power, rules, and the fact that you can never beat the machine. I must have known then that I was to become a teacher and have to play by the rules of others now and again. No big deal, but sometimes, like in Catch-22, the rules and situations get a bit muddled.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Yossarian has caused enough trouble for the higher-ups and they cut him a deal. It goes a little something like this–
‘What? What must I do?’
Colonel Korn laughed curtly. ‘Like us.’
Yossarian blinked. ‘Like you?’
‘Like us.’
‘Like you?’
‘That’s right,’ said Colonel Korn, nodding, gratified immeasurably by Yossarian’s guileless surprise and bewilderment. ‘Like us. Join us. Be our pal. Say nice things about us here and back in the States. Become one of the boys. Now, that isn’t asking too much, is it?’
‘You just want me to like you? Is that all?’
‘That’s all.’
‘That’s all?’
‘Just find it in your heart to like us.’
Yossarian wanted to laugh confidently when he saw with amazement that Colonel Korn was telling the truth. ‘That isn’t going to be too easy,’ he sneered.
It’s never very easy. To give in to them would be a betrayal of self. Sure, he would get what he wanted, but then there’s those pesky things like words, principles, values. They still mean some things to people, right?
Yesterday I was disappointed, bothered, and tired of having to jump through the same hoop that has me coming out at the end I just jumped through. I made amends with myself and others as best I could, and tried to move forward. It’s a problem many of us have in this world, and I always try not to fall under its spell, but sometimes you get disappointed/bothered/tired when others have it better than you and your merit is questioned.
There’s always a catch. I am happy that I was reminded of who I am. It only took a few words yesterday (by a Green Bay Packer fan, no less) to snap me back to reality, to the person I am. You know me–that old teacher out there in the perimeter where there are no stars. That guy who wants things done in a fair manner, where everyone benefits in the long run. That guy that will stick it out until things are fixed.
There is always fixing to do, but that isn’t going to be too easy.