A popular show on radio requires the Radio Jockey to call up an unassuming person to chat about some simple issue. Slowly and determinedly the RJ escalates the conversation to a point where the person called comes down to angry swearing within seconds. This happens with unfailing regularity, much to the listener`s amusement.
The whole premise of this popular show is that the RJ will be able to say the exact things that will elicit a particular response from the person called. To think that we are like machines that react in certain predictable and reactive ways is quite unsettling.
While driving down a road, I was confronted by a motorcycle borne trio. The riders were in a jolly mood and were weaving their bike left and right at a very slow speed. They were making sure that I could not overtake them. Every time I used the horn they would raise their hands as if to provoke a rash reaction. Their complete lack of sensitivity and brashness got me livid with anger. I felt like a puppet, completely at the mercy of their outrageous and dominating behaviour.
“So you think you are in control?” I wanted to yell at them.
My mind calmly echoed the question back at me, “So you think you are in control?”
I wanted my answer to be a resounding, “Yes!”
Then something just fell in place… I saw myself at my destination a trifle later that expected but I would not be made to behave in a way that I did not want to.
I realised that while the right to fight back is ours, the way we do it should be ours too. It should not be dependent on another person`s manipulation of us. That would be giving too much power to someone else and too little to our own self….