Where’s that remote?
We love to be the one with the remote. Right?
In spite of our attachment to the remote, there are some occasions where we seem to willingly give it away. It happens with our emotions. It’s like we have an emotional remote control and we allow it to be in the hands of some other person. That person then seems to have almost complete control over what we feel, when and how much. Or maybe we are the one that seems to be handed the emotional remote control every time that person comes around. We feel horrible if we can’t find the right channel, and we usually can’t.
It may not even be how that person reacts to us. It may be just their emotional experience that hits us. It wafts over to us faster than second-hand smoke into a non-smoking section of a restaurant. Or it’s like the Bat-phone (get someone over 40 to explain) that has the privilege of a direct connection on a dedicated line 24 hours a day.
Let’s please leave our remotes in the hands of their respective owners. Trust me. Things work much better that way.
David Hamilton
Another great analogy! I am the person handing my emotional remote control to another, I will try to be a little more possessive of it. Thank-you!
Although we may react to phrasing like “possessive” there are some things we have been given, which we are to keep. One of them, I think, is the stewardship of our emotions.
I agree with new song, that’s me too. Why do we do that?
But I’ve found that if you just take out the batteries then it’s impossible for others to play with your emotions or for you to play with theirs. But I suppose by doing that you also risk ‘putting up walls’ in the process, which is never a good thing.
Thanks for your writing!
Yeah, taking out the batteries almost sounds like shutting down, which is tempting at times.
After Thanksgiving week with my family…this really struck a cord. I’m really not responsible for how they feel, am I?
Nothing like the holidays to bring those things out, huh? I think it helps to think about it as being responsible TO them in the sense of an obligation to do what is right, just, and kind, but that stops short of being responsible FOR them.
Wow, this is great. You did a nice job setting up your “emotional remote” analogy–I love it!
I’m a new blogger, examining the work of others for inspiration. Yours is an exemplary example; I’m glad I stumbled upon it :)
Rania Abuisnaineh
Thanks Rania.