Conflict happens when Patch and Dean Walcott clash over Patch's untraditional practices, methods, and ideas about healing.The conflict between Adams and Walcott highlights a relevant problem in our culture, people who choose to go against the flow of "how it's done" are seen as rebellious, disrespectful, and lazy. In reality most of those people are passionate, hardworking, and compassionate. They aren't actually rebellious but appear to be so because they are kicking against the goads of society's rules. They aren't actually disrespectful but are accused of being so because they have a different perspective they are exploring how to live out. They aren't lazy but seem so because the methods they are trying don't fall into the structures already set up and thought to be "the right [only] way."
Another interesting problem that the movie highlights is the one of threat. Walcott, although he would never admit it, was threatened by Patch's ability to connect with humans, to see beyond the obvious, to heal them outside of traditional methods. This was a threat to Walcott who had been taught to stay in the lines. Perhaps the threat also triggered a bit of jealousy deep within. If Walcott had any dreams about making a change in the world they had been stifled long ago and Adams wasn't willing to allow himself or his ideas to be stifled or silenced.
Adams rubbed Walcott the wrong way. He was never going to "win" with Walcott.
Can you relate?
Are you an Adams and you have a Walcott in your life?
Or, be honest, are you a Walcott and there is an Adams in your life?
I can relate. In fact, I didn't realize how much I could relate until I watched the movie again. There's a coworker relationship I have that has me walking in the shoes of Patch Adams and the coworker wearing the pants of Dean Walcott. And it is t.o.u.g.h. I'm never going to "win" with Walcott.
I decided this past week, after yet another very rough week dealing with my Walcott, that the core issue is threat. My Walcott behaves as if the things I do around the office are a threat to them professionally and personally. It is brain boggling.
Let me outline a few of my offenses according to my Walcott:
My Walcott was out on vacation and their boss needed something that couldn't wait and asked me to do it. So I did. How dare I?
This Adams has decided the office needs as much morale boosting as possible so in light of that this Adams has hosted an office version of Dinovember, provides a stress relief room filled with laughter and good chocolate for the stressful and long pledge drives our organization holds three times a year, decorates the pledge drive phone zones in different themes for a little bit of fun, surprises the office with fun treats every now and then. How dare I?There's more, almost daily my Walcott is on my case about something - those are just a few examples. This past week was a circus theme at work for our year end pledge drive. One day I handed out to all the employees, whether they work the pledge drive or not, a treat box with various "circus themed" treats. This Adams was having a great time handing them out and getting some smiles from some coworkers that I hadn't seen smile all week. (It's the little things people, which is another lesson from the life of Patch Adams.) My Walcott came up to me, literally poked me in the chest (I've got a witness), and said, "You are a child. You are ridiculous" and started to walk away. Walcott was not teasing me (remember I've got a witness). I replied back, "Hey Jesus told us to be like the children..." to which Walcott harshly, and almost with anger, retorted, "He didn't mean this" and stomped off. My crime? I gave my Walcott a circus themed box of treats. How dare I?
Just like Dean Walcott complained about Patch Adam's unusual and non-traditional methods of practicing medicine, my Walcott also complains about my methods of getting my work done and how I interact with my own boss (The Chief) and others. Apparently my Walcott believes this Adams breaks some archaic code regarding work and interactions. My Walcott has actually told me outright that I am rebellious because I do something differently than how they would. Seriously. It's a head scratcher for sure.
What Patch Adams reminds me of is persistence. He never caved to Walcott's unreasonable demands and behavior. He never allowed Walcott to break his spirit or his goal to practice medicine. I confess I'm not as thick-skinned as Patch was with Walcott. My Walcott has hurt my feelings, made me cry, driven me to drink (not even joking), and pushed me to the edge of an anger I rarely feel. Not a week goes by that I don't eagerly anticipate the weekend so that I can have a two day break from my Walcott. And when my Walcott goes on vacation? Bliss. But Patch reminds me to stand my ground. I'm reminded to not cave to Walcott's behavior which only serves to enable it. Patch reminds me to stay strong in spirit. My Walcott is not stronger than I am. Patch also didn't deviate from his goal to practice medicine his way. If he had, a lot of people would have missed out on healing. I should not let my Walcott's sour attitude make me deviate from my goal of boosting office moral or practicing my work ethic the way I do. If I allow my Walcott to distract me from who I really am, then I think that there will be some people who miss out on something I have to help them.
Patch Adams also serves as a reminder to me about Walcott. Don't be a Dean Walcott in life! What a miserable way to live. If you have seen the movie then you may recall that a smile probably would have broken Walcott's face in half. There's more than one way to do something, be flexible and open-minded. Don't allow jealousy to be the motivation for action or lack of action. And it's never, ever, ever too late to jump out of the pants of Dean Walcott and into the shoes of Patch Adams.
For more on Patch Adams and his Institute click here.
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