In honour of my Irish blood and it being St Patrick’s day I decided to talk about beer mugs, not the actually beer but the mug. Add to that, shot glasses.
It is funny for me to make reference to any form of alcoholic beverage. Though I am not a teetotaler, I am really not much of a drinker either. I can account for drinking two complete beers in my life. The first was in my parents back yard after a day of moving into my second or third apartment. The second was in our pool in our back yard a few years ago. I have been known to have a sip from my husband’s beer though, to his utter dismay.
So let’s get back to the glasses.
Many years ago, as we were facing a family situation, one of my brothers-in-law and I were chit-chatting. We had gotten fairly philosophical and went beyond just the facts of the situation at hand.
We started noticing how different people reacted to the given situation. It was particularly interesting to see how individual and personal each person’s reaction was. In this case we were watching a group of siblings.
The vast difference of each sibling in their ability to walk into this difficult situation was evident and even surprising.
My brother-in-law came up with how everyone is like a glass. (The image was new to me and I liked how visual it was). Some are shot glasses and overflow with very little and quickly. Others seem to be able to take more and more, a little like a beer mug before being overwhelmed.
As time has gone by, it was funny to see how each of these same people reacted to new challenges. What I appreciate the most is that the shot glasses of the time are not always shot glasses and the beer mugs could also have their shot glass moments.
The part I have found difficult is what is expected of the beer mugs of the family.
As you may have guessed. I have had a few beer mug moments. I find that when you have the ability to be a beer mug, some people expect you to be one in all conditions no matter what you have to deal with.
As for the shot glasses, family members tend to make excuses for them. They are often permitted to react strongly and people come to their aid and give them importance beyond their position and role. Very little is usually expected of them.
That said, it is important to recognise that certain things can influence someone’s ability to handle a difficult situation. Here are but a few:
- the person’s own health
- the person’s age
- how the person may be overextended
- the amount vested in the situation
- the opportunity to have dealt with something of at least equal challenge successfully
- to have people counting on him or her (like children)
- to have a support system at home
- to have the ability to let go of what one cannot control.
It has been interesting to watch these individuals through the years. I have learned not to assume that if someone reacts like a shot glass in one situation that they are always a shot glass. You may just be surprised who finds strength in surprising moments. At the same time, don’t expect the strong person to always be strong. Even the strongest person is human and his humanity must be respected.
I would love to hear from you if you have a comment or a question. You are also welcome to share the blog in hopes that it lands on the desk of someone who may just need it as they begin their own adventure.