A Stellar Storyteller

Interviewer: @blissart

Interviewee: @fristo

Bliss: I remember the first time I came across the username Fristo was while participating in " Need Reply " threads and was much impressed with some stories they had shared. Later found them participating in LSR where I got to know them more and was more impressed with their kind, supportive n dedicated approach.

1. I remember you were much more active in forums than in the group rooms. What is it that made you join and extend your support through the rooms ?

From what I am able to recall, I started my 7cups and listener journey in 1-1 chats for supporting members. After a few months of doing that, I first time entered a group chatroom, namely, Listener Hangout Room (now called Listener Community Room). That was fascinating for me in itself - to be able to communicate to so many people at once. I like to move people through my words and the group dynamics presented that opportunity to me, which I’ve been living to my heart’s content.

2. What do you like more, the forums or rooms and why ?

Rooms! Because it is “live”, I like live performances more than filming a performance for viewing later. Forums are like filming a performance - I like that too. Because it gives me a chance to try smart editing to deliver the content in the most effective way; something which cannot be done as much in rooms. The messages in the rooms keep rolling, but in forums the words stay.

3. How has your listener journey been so far? What leadership roles do you have and which one would you like to pursue in the near future?

I’ve liked listening to members, that private space where I get to hear dark and bright secrets of the member’s heart, and as the chat goes on, share with them my perspectives in the form of suggestions.

I currently lead Living with Leaders and Peer Appreciation Projects, am a Project Agent of Listener Chatroom Track, and a Listener Coach. Out of these, I’ve enjoyed Living with Leaders the most. I tried some other roles too, Team Lightship for example, but dropped it at a later point. I enjoy trying out different roles, and might try even new ones in the coming time. You’ve got to live it once to see what it has in it for you, and what you have in you for it.

4. Can you share some incident, if any, in your listening journey that- a) made you feel proud of yourself, b) made you gain a certain perspective for your own self, c) you wanted to quit but stayed back ?

a) I always feel proud of my resilience. I might be down on some day, I might even lose my way some day, but I come back on a new day and start afresh in a new spirit, believing in myself over again. b) The name ‘fristo’ made a difference to my existence. It is a character which I adopted. Life is a movie screen upon which we play many characters. Fristo is a character of unlimited kindness and creativity. I’ve loved living it. c) The way I am, I lose interest in things quickly, and it is very tough for anything to gain and hold my interest. The only thing that keeps me coming back is the potential in me to give. If some day I feel there is another place where my potential to give would be lived better, I’d soar in the new place and with delight bid farewell to the former place, with wishes for it of course.

5. What are your hobbies?

I like being with children. I like to be and feel like a child in learning something new. I like to walk and be absorbed into dialogues with myself. That’s about it, I guess.

6. You are very gifted with words as I sensed through your stories. Would you like to share one for our readers?

Never think you do things. Always know, good things cannot be done by you, those could only be done through you.

7. No interview is complete without the necessary question and my fav - what advice will you give to new listeners from your experience?

Be patient in the chat. Bit by bit patiently listen to your member’s world. Don’t interrupt their sharing, when you see them typing, wait. Show interest in their story and ask them open-ended questions to facilitate their sharing further.

Living with Leaders Tag-list: @rrretsuko @Smilingfuture @blindHeart12 @HealingTalk

This interview is part of the Living with Leaders Interview Series. Learn about the series here