#2. The Table

Before I begin dating and any kind of relationship, my therapist thinks that I need to establish some ground rules.   (This probably would’ve been a good idea BEFORE getting married…)

My therapist is a middle aged Irish woman whose accent sort of makes her sound like a pirate.  I keep picturing her with a parrot on her shoulder.  But she is really effective and a bit scary so I do whatever she tells me to do.  (Exercising was her idea as well.)  She came up with this concept called, “The Table”.  The Table is an analogy that does make sense and is supposed to help me make better choices.

Here’s how it goes:

I’m supposed to think of myself as a Table.  I’m then supposed to think about what my Table consists of.  I have some desirable qualities like a good sense of humour, a kind heart, loyalty, honesty, a great kid and am a generous person.  That is my Table. 

Now, if I invite someone over to my Table, I’m supposed to consider what they bring to my Table.  Do they bring a host of desirable qualities?  Do they add to my Table, or do they detract from my Table.  Who needs someone to take away from their Table?  No one should devour my Table and leave me with an empty Table ever again.  That’s just wrong.

From here on out, I declare that I will not allow my Table to be infringed upon and neither should any woman!

So, the next time I am considering a relationship of any kind, I’m going to ask myself, “What do they bring to The Table?”