Power of Unselfishness

The biggest thing that stood out to me in these chapters is something that might be overlooked due to the main theme of the church of reason. What I saw in these chapters is people's need for relationships and how these relationships change how people relate to each other. The first example of this is found when the narrator is talking about his relationship with Chris. He states that many times he realizes he is angry only after noticing a worried look on his son's face, or that the narrator's good mood directly affects Chris's enjoyment of a situation. Also, when the narrator discusses Phaedrus' relationship with DeWeese, he states that they are drawn to each other because they don't understand each other which is intriguing to them. With this realization of this theme, I can greatly see how our attitudes in relationships change that way people relate to each other.

I believe a realization of this importance of other people and our reliance on their relationships would greatly change the world today. People would become less self-centered and more apt to seeing how people around them are reacting. The focus would be on how we can better the world through how we treat people rather than demand special treatment for ourselves. This also shows me a lot of stuff I need to change in my own life. Many times I mistakenly and un-purposefully get in the mindset that I am the only person that matters on this planet. As much I strive to think of others and see their needs as Christ has directed us to do, I understand that at times I can be a very selfish person. This chapter and the reiteration of this theme refocuses my attention to others rather than myself. Christ has commanded me to die to myself and live for him which means I am to act as he acted and see other's needs first.