tic-tac-toe

Nothing provokes me like someone trying to tell me what I can or can’t do. And I am not talking about “Eat your vegetables”, “Take out the trash”, "Don't run a red light", "Don't steal shit", or "Don't stick a knife in someone" (well maybe the red light thing, once). That stuff is important and I get that. What I mean is when someone is attempting to assert control over me, primarily for their own gains or because they consider my actions irrelevant, then I am full-on instigated.

In fact, I can be a bit immature when confronted with authority. A holdover from adolescence, I presume. For the most part, because I am an adult I am able to identify when the limitations being placed on me are legitimate and necessary. And I bite my tongue.

But, nothing pleases me more than to shove it in the face of whatever or whoever attempts to assert unnecessary control over me. Tell me I’m too old to do something, to act a certain way, then you can bet I’ll be first in line. Tell me what I say is irrelevant and I’ll carry on until I find an ear. Attempt to limit my behavior because you don’t consider me worthy and I’ll increase my efforts until you are red faced.

What amazes me is that they (those attempting control) do not understand that their assertions invariably expose their hot buttons. See, now I know what pisses you off and I can be an asshole, so there you go. But, like I said, I can be a bit immature.

Also, I find it unnecessary for someone to belittle a person because their opinion does not run parallel to their own. Typically, name calling will get you nowhere. We are each entitled to our own beliefs, and our opinions will undoubtedly run counter to other's. And if I don't agree, I'll let you know. I'll give you my point of view and perhaps some facts that I may have squirreled away for the occasion to back it up.

Usually this works and we can agree to disagree. But, if you are maliciously handing me my head over and over about whatever burns your ass, then I will most likely ignore you.

That works in two ways. First, I don't hear you any longer. I can continue my life knowing that I made an attempt to express my opinion. And hopefully you now realize you are not going to change mine. Second, I don't hear you any longer.

Then later, under my breath, I'll call you an idiot. And let's face it, if after all that you still think you can change my opinion...well now, we don't need to go there. Just for the record, I won't try to change yours, either. Your opinion, that is.

With all that being said, (and feel free to ignore any of it) please keep in mind that I am a bit of a smart ass. And I have been known to dish out a good natured hard-time. If you poke me, I'll poke you back...sometimes I poke first.

I think I read somewhere something along the lines of...we need to be able to best deal with those things that impact us emotionally, and we need to handle them ourselves. As individuals the decisions we make are what we can control. The rest is up to the rest.




p.s. ask yourself.