The "Roles" We Play
The question for today is: What best characterizes your role in your family of origin (troublemaker, hero, peace maker, comforter, pleaser, caretaker, avoider, dreamer, underachiever etc. )
As we develope during our childhood we assume a certain role given the circumstances of our family environment, the parenting we have received, our personality style and position in the family. A child will select a certain way to cope with the difficulties that occur if they are not adequately understood and helped through the troubled times. Some of these roles are not functional in our adult life even though they helped us cope in childhood. But, we carry them with us into our adult relationships and it can cause us to feel the same old pain and helplessness we felt as a child.
It is important to understand in what way you are still playing a childhood role in your life now at work or at home. Take some time to write about your family of origin. What is your favorite, painful or joyful family story? How do you fit into that story? What were you feeling and what conclusion were you making about your worthiness? How did you cope with your feelings? How would you describe your relationship with your parents?
As you get to know yourself and your inner child you will better understand your present adult relationships, and learn to let go of the dysfunctional roles that you no longer need.
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