I’m Listening

Now that I must run the “is it needed/necessary” program before leaping into my superhero costume to rescue those around me, I am noticing a new trend.  I seem to want to make people happy. Or not necessarily “make” them happy but facilitate their happiness in some way.

There is nothing wrong with that and I do still try to play “Make a Wish” for those in my sphere, but it has been fascinating to observe my go to behavior.  I hear a request and immediately begin to try to figure out how I can make it come true.  Maybe I am the Secret Santa and just never knew it. At least it would appear to be true as I wander about inside of my head.

It is a default setting. I do not have to activate it. The request is spoken into the air and for some reason I believe they are speaking directly to me. Even if I am in a crowd, they must be talking to me. If I hear it, it is mine to do.

The “new” Heather at least does a stop, drop and roll. One might call it a five second delay to assess the call to action.  Perhaps it is being the granddaughter of a fireman who used horse drawn trucks – I hear the alarm and step in to await the drop of the halter as I paw at the ground to get out the door.

Today as I was driving and reviewing the requests (to be perfectly honest some are not even requested but dreamt up by me as lovely things to do to make life easier for someone), I noted that my goal in all of it is to make people happy. Or my perception of their happiness and needs. I then traveled back in time to me as a kid. All I ever wanted to do was make people happy or happier. I could sense sadness, anger, upset and just wanted it to stop for them. Not so much for me, but since I was instinctually happy, I wanted it for others.

I wanted to make life easier or less stressful. I would note the things that made people laugh and store them in their personal files.  My mother laughed at very different things than my father, so they had separate material. I was a good observer and evidently had a gift of sensing what was needed and a desire to provide for their needs. Over the years I have had plenty of evidence that most people are not that interested in being happy, at least not in the way I perceive it.

There is nothing much I can do about that and luckily, I no longer feel it is my job to be the court jester for the world. Nor do I need to solve the myriad of problems that pass by my ears.  Being discerning in my offerings is better for everyone. I am still open for business, but taking fewer applications these days.