Recently I've discovered the joy of playing computer on-line role playing games. And one of the first things I've learned is the kind of uniqueness each one of us possess. Given the chance to be born again, given the chance to choose how you'd look like and what powers and skills you will possess, how would you choose to be?

As for me, I chose to be a Shaman, one of the characters with lesser physical strength but whose spiritual powers can heal and strengthen many. Such character rarely engages in direct combat, but supports a group instead. In real life I guess this was the role suited for me to play, someone who is not as aggressive as others are in the pursuit of their interests, but someone who is content in silently doing her part to serve others who are weary and wounded in the battles of life. I felt good about it, and I enjoyed playing the game as a shaman. I was happy of the fact that a shaman is always invited in groups due to their important role, which few people wanted to play. I was happy that swordsmen and other characters often protect me and fight for me since a shaman is indeed very vulnerable from attacks.

I really never thought I'd choose any other character. I saw the Shaman in me and I in her. Yet after some time, I felt something, like I was not enjoying the game anymore. I was always so busy healing and helping my teammates that I didn't have as much fun as they did in fighting the monsters that stood in our way. And it's like I couldn't move much on my own. I was dependent upon the protection of players who are stronger than me. And many times, these characters don't even have the time to do that. They're often busy fighting their own fights, whereas I'm left alone doing a job that's rarely noticed or appreciated. Hmp! I got tired of it all and I created another character, one so powerful I'd be able to kill those monsters in one single blow!

It was a different experience. And though I had to start again from the lowest level, I enjoyed my new character, a different side of me I may have ignored for so long. I realized I can be strong. I realized I can protect myself. And I realized that there are really times when we are being summoned from our lonely corners and called upon to fight!

Yet there was one thing more that I realized. I realized that as powerful as we'd have become, we are sometimes powerless to help those who are in need, those who are hurt, those who need our assistance in renewing what little strength they have so they could go on.

I missed my shaman. I saw the woundedness of many, which I could have healed had I been the healer I used to be. Yet in that game, you could only choose one path and one power, you could only nourish the gifts you have chosen to possess.

Fortunately in life, such is not the case. Fortunately in life, I can be a Shaman and a Swordsman at the same time. I have learned to appreciate the gifts of my heart, yet I have also learned that there is a time for everything, and that we better be prepared, because some days we need to cast our frail hearts aside, because some days we may be called upon not only to heal, but to fight!

itakeoffthemask.com is not your usual personal development website that tells you what you already know, but an online life coaching site that unmasks what you're really going through and offers real empathy and empowering resources for your comfort and healing. You can check those who have been comforted and inspired by reading their testimonials
Hurt? Brokenhearted? Burdened?
FREE 7-Day E-mail Course:
Click Here!
You need not be alone.
"The world breaks everyone and afterwards many are strong at the broken places." - ERNEST HEMINGWAY