Rank, Reason & Morton’s Pride

written
Monday, November 7th, 2005

We work differently than other systems. I suppose all systems work differently but we use words that make others uncomfortable while setting us inside at ease. We have rank inside. We don’t have any alters above one or the other in that they count more than this or that alter. We have rank in that there are some alters that are able to handle more than others. What we can handle is what places us on the ranking scale.

Since Morton is first in command he does get the responsibility of making the final decision when it comes to major, major things. Joan is second in command and Destiny follows her closely. Everyone inside has the same strength and weight behind their voice. Someone that is 5 years old may be higher up than someone say 20 years old. The purpose of the rank is to delegate responsibility and encourage cooperation. If someone is too stressed to take on a big job but we give it to them anyway, the chances of them failing is high. Failing does not do anything for the ego. We believe strongly that if we know where each other stand as far as what they can handle then we can be more reasonable in our requests. It would be wrong to give Maureen the job of taking us to the grocery store. It would be wrong to ask Joan to be present for the therapy session. Our rank is set up so that when handing out assignments those assignments can be something that can be done reasonably.

Everyone in the system has a part. We dole out jobs to everyone so that everyone has a part in our life and lifestyle. We have a few that groom the dog, some that walk him and one that feeds him. Feeding the dog may not seem like a big job but it’s as important as the protection that Morton gives the entire Pride. Our dog is everything to us. We depend on him a great deal so the job that person does is significant in our functioning. So while the person that feeds Cappy isn’t the emotionally strongest person in the group they do have equal importance like everyone else.

We thrive as a group, not as individuals. We compliment each other and the arrangement of rank helps us do that. We have some that do yard work while others do housework. Some of us cook while others of us do the social thing. It works for us. Knowing who can do what and stating it is better than pretending that those limitations don’t exist. If we are able take the light off those limitations and focus on commitment, togetherness and fairness then the result is rank.

An example of how we give out daily responsibilities is this: the only person to answer the phone is Joan of Arc. No one else answers the phone, not even our first in command Morton. This is why: Joan has the ability to protect with reason and lack of emotion. If someone stupid is on the other line they are most likely to get humor then hear a click on the phone. If another alter picked up the phone and they were having a bad day the person on the other line wasn’t the person they really needed to hear from then we have to deal with that issue. We have to do damage control. We figure we’ll skip all that and just let Joan answer the phone. If for some ungodly reason it’s the mother on the other end then Morton is front and center with a quickness. We aren’t going to send Joan to do Morton’s job because Morton is going to do it differently and in a way that the mother WILL understand it. Knowing what is a level 1 alert and a level 2 alert is important so that when it happens we know who should step up.

We like order. We like things laid out and written so that we know what we should and should not be doing. There are some aspects of the Pride that we have begun to question but have chosen to leave them as they are. We do not contradict Morton’s authority. If he gives a command it happens. It’s just that simple. We listen to him and trust him greatly. That seems kind of crazy on our part but on Morton’s part it may seem domineering and controlling. With the added respect and even submission comes a greater weight on one’s shoulders. If something needs to be decided as a group and Morton listens to everyone’s voice equally, consults with the other 2 protectors and then makes the final decision then it’s him and him alone that deals with the guilt if the whole thing falls apart. When the emotionally stronger ones are making big decisions then those needing attention can get it. They don’t have to worry about this stuff, they can focus on what they need to feel better. Being freed from major stressors allows healing to move fluidly. If I had to stop my healing to deal with some of the issues we deal with I’d be starting and stopping all the time. I’m happy to do the laundry and that’s it. I’m happy I have the chance to be freed from a lot of the responsibility now so that I can heal and have more responsibility later.

Several contributed to this post:
Joan of Arc, -us- and Milwaukee
with over sight by Morton