Musings on Roles

"A toll is a toll, and a roll is a roll... and when we don't get no tolls, we don't eat no rolls." ~ Little John, Robin Hood, Men in Tights

Okay, I couldn't resist. I've still got Robin Hood on the brain. *grin*

Roles

Amway, I've been smackin myself outta feelin sorry for myself, keeping in mind that each person in our lives has a different role. And that many of my friends have bigger things goin on in their lives to be concerned about, than my own modest activities.

The role of some friends is to stimulate my brain... to think things through with me and challenge my ideas... and to be challenged by mine. Others provide support, sympathy and strength... to know what I need to hear and feel to survive a crisis. Then there are those I need to give me a smack or two back into reality when I need it... who will be blunt with me and tell me precisely the harsh truth of the matter. Some friends have the sole purpose of being fun and making me laugh... providing an outlet to escape when life gets too heavy. Some allow me to vent and, no matter how irrational or emotional I am, will not judge... at least until I've gotten it all out. *grin*

Some people have been in my life simply because they needed me and they gave me a purpose in helping them. Others have provided lessons I've needed to learn in order to grow and mature. Some friends have known just how to challenge me to do and become more than I did and was before. And then there are those special few that help me feel important... give me an ego boost... are interested in my activities and the things that are important to me (or at least pretend, even if they could really care less) just because it encourages me and makes me feel... well, interesting.

The Filling of the Roles

Many friends are more than one of these things for me at different times. Frequently it depends on what is going on in their own lives and what they have available to give. It's a fluctuation... and when one cannot be what I need, there is usually somebody else who can. That's the great thing about having such a wide variety of friends and personalities. I'm extremely thankful I have such a pool of resources in my life... and that I can be such a resource for them, whenever I have the opportunity and ability to do so. I try to be a fair judge of a person and a situation, to know what role they need from me.

I am equally thankful to have discovered that Mom has become all of the above... and more, in my life. Especially the part about making me feel special or important. Of course, that's probably automatically a mom's role above most else. I think it comes naturally... *grin* I suppose I'll find out if or when I become a mother, myself.

Keeping Perspective

So when friends have no idea what I'm talking about when I bring up something I know I've already mentioned 3 times already, or that I've already blogged about... when I'm excited about sharing my thoughts on my weekend, and few seem to share my enthusiasm... I need to remember that many of my friends have a LOT going on in their lives right now. They probly don't have time to read my "novel", and have a lot on their minds to distract them. And they probly need from me more than I need from them right now.

I also need to remember my sentiments when I first started this thing... who the hell reads a blog? I think I've started relying too heavily on using this as a form of sharing my goings ons with my friends. Cuz not many seem to be reading it. Which is cool. I mean, I understand it's just not many people's thing, or they simply don't have the time, patience or interest to wade through it.

I need to keep my focus of making this a memoir... a journal to look back on in years to come. Not to fuss so much about sharing in the present. :)