How often do you play the same role
Over and over, isn’t it old?
How old can it get before you decide
Turn it down, sit still let go of the comfort it provides.
When things didn’t go my way,
“How could you? I’m shocked!”
Angrily turn my back, cross my arms
and at the same time,
cry and whimper away, Not today.
No not today I’ll be defeated.
Not today will I hold the frame and in the middle my picture, a powerless victim.
No pride in waving that flag.
No fun in playing that card.
So, I’ll play a different one instead.
But I’ve been playing it so long what other cards do I have?
You may have none, but you can make one.
So if victimhood leaves holes, which cards could make us whole?
All those days I played victim couldn’t be for nothing.
Hidden in anger I discovered my values.
Shock bought me time to sift through my thoughts
and decipher what’s mine.
So when I’m hit with the same situation again
I have space to choose
A different reaction.
I can articulate my words and my feelings with peace.
And I can see through your eyes when you’re sitting in my place.
With a list of values that drive my decisions
A vision that allows me to handle with compassion
A way out when I hit a dead end
I’m conditioned to know how to win.
I’m sitting at the table new cards in hand.
So come at me world, I’m ready for playing.
I’m probably gonna mess up,
Slip into my old ways
The more I play these new cards
My old habits drift away
Take it easy on myself
when I go into routine
Remember that I’m playing
Life’s more interesting.
