The Ways of Wilson

{I must give credit where credit is due. This topic is not an original creation. The idea of "Wilson", the volleyball character from the movie Castaway, as a metaphor for life came from a Facebook post I saw on my wall that came from a friend of a friend. The "friend of a friend" is named Jamar Monroe.

Before I even begin, Jamar, you don't know me, but thank you for the inspiration. }

Did you see the movie "Castaway"? Remember the Wilson character...the volleyball that became Chuck Noland's confidante, his lifeline to reality and sanity. In the end, Wilson became more like a crutch, a necessary addiction to get Chuck through his trials as a castaway. Eventually, as Chuck left his island prison, he had to say goodbye to Wilson.

Wilson had served his purpose in Chuck's life. To continue to keep Wilson in his life, Chuck would not be able to transition to the next phase of his life. Wilson would only hold him down.

We all have a "wilson" in our lives. Some of us have a few. The symptoms of having a "wilson":

• an overwhelming security when "wilson" is around
• an overwhelming insecurity when "wilson" is not around
• an overwhelming euphoria at the thought of "wilson"
• thinking about "wilson" constantly
• including "wilson" in everything, actions and thoughts

Sounds kind of like an addiction, doesn't it? I'm surprised AA didn't pick up on this earlier and run with it. Maybe they did but I just wasn't paying attention back then; or maybe the franchising fees were just too outrageous.

We are all a "wilson" to someone else in our lives. Sometimes we don't even know it. The symptoms of being a "wilson" are quite similar to those of having a "wilson":

• an overwhelming need by "Chuck" to always have you around
• an overwhelming need by "Chuck" to include you in everything
• an obvious euphoria by "Chuck" when he is in your presence
• your feeling, as "wilson", that "Chuck" is overdoing it and needs you too much
• your desire, as "wilson", not to hurt "Chuck's" feelings because you know he is in a tough spot right now
• your assertion, as "wilson", to yourself that you don't need "Chuck" as much as he needs you

In the end, "Chuck" said farewell to "wilson". He had to in order to move on. "Wilson" would only hold him back, restrain him from moving to the next phase of his life.

If you have never been "wilsoned", know that you will. If you have never "wilsoned" someone, know that you will do this too. And the reason is because the euphoria and security that "wilson" provides are temporary and temporal. While he feels good and provides a necessary security, he can be just a stepping stone to something bigger and better.

So, are you "Chuck" now? Or are you "wilson"? Maybe you are both or maybe you need to examine more closely your "wilsons".

Is it time to move on?