I have a personal policy that I've been working on adopting for
a while and I've encouraged friends to try to use when dealing
with difficult interpersonal relationships:
"I am in control of my emotions. You will not manipulate my
emotions."
In short: a) recognize your own emotions as they rise and fall
and notice who seems to be in control of them. b) Decide if you
will allow them to control your emotions. c) Accept it, if you
like, but you make the choice. or d) put up a shield so that,
they can try but they will not succeed, as you own your own
emotions. e) leave the situation if the weight is too strong (a
great example is seeing the abused dogs and hearing "Arms of an
Angel" on TV)
that's top-of-my-head. And yes, media manipulation of emotions
counts for me as well. I let them move my emotions around if I
want them to: Inspirational for example; that's an emotion I
like. Guilt? That's one I don't want and I don't let them do it.
I feel it coming within me and then I put the wall up.
They might never know it; I can smile and nod and say "I
understand" and give them the words they want to hear. But I
will walk away unscathed if I choose to not allow the
manipulation of my emotions to take place.
Of course, taken to extremes, its sociopathic. This is advice
for sensitive hearts to gain strength. Sensitivity training is
another matter, of equal importance.
