You’re Out of Control – Might As Well Enjoy It

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article in the New York Times by Christopher Mele titled Pushing That Crosswalk Button May Make You Feel Better, but …. The article rattles off a few examples of things in everyday life that do nothing other than give a sense that we’re actually doing something or that we’re in control of an eventual outcome. News flash: in the grandest of schemes – we aren’t.

“Perceived control is very important,” she said. “It diminishes stress and promotes well being.”

I absolutely have issues with dominance and power over me and with control in general. I’m sure some people in my past (or present) might qualify me as a nightmare in this regard. So, if I say things about letting go or giving up the need to control everything – I don’t say them lightly. And, I’m talking to myself here more than suggesting what anyone else should be doing. Pretty much like everything in these pages.

The other day at work a friend was talking to me about my recent riding trip in California and what it was like being in isolated areas of the desert by myself. He asked if I was scared and “what if something happened?” Well? I don’t know. What if something happened? What would I have done? I suppose it depends on what that something would’ve been. Here in the comfort of my living room, I still don’t know. But I didn’t worry about it.

Does that mean I was fine with being out of control? Or did I actually perceived myself as being in control? Is it all just a matter of semantics? If I was standing on the side of the road and some big, burly guy stopped, lunked me over the head with a monkey wrench and threw me in the back of his pickup truck, I would’ve had no control over that situation. If I got a flat tire? I could be in control of that situation. Both undesirable scenarios were possible. Neither possibility stopped me in my tracks.

“If the door never closed, we would stop pressing the button,” he continued. “But in that case, of course, we would stop using the elevator altogether. So, that habit is here to stay. Similarly, even though I have grave doubts about the traffic light buttons, I always press them. After all, I’ve got nothing else to do while waiting. So why not press the button on the off chance that this one will work?

Maybe neither one of those scenarios stopped me in my tracks because of exactly what’s outlined in the last sentence of the quote above: hope. There is the persistent hope that nothing will go wrong and that everything will go right!

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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8 Responses

  1. Darrin says:

    You are right in that it is a matter of perspective. This planet will continue on its path in space no matter what we do. So in that aspect, we are not in control. I am in control of what I say here. So where lies the importance of life? About this time, I say, “shut up and ride” that is a perspective I can relate to.

  2. husabob says:

    Everyone can relate to parts of this:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey6ugTmCYMk

  3. Mike says:

    Eventually we will have to let go of everything.

  4. Shybiker says:

    Interesting coincidence: I was just talking about this subject on another friend’s blog. My belief, borne of experience, is that we have much less control than we suspect. Human psychology needs to believe in agency even when none exists. Thanks for prodding us on another fascinating topic.

  5. Gary Mastro says:

    As the legendary and now late Mose Allison sung, “I don’t worry ’bout a thing ’cause I know nothin’s gonna be alright”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5fHpC4Wux8

    Works for me. RIP, Mose.

  6. Todd says:

    Couple of thoughts,
    First, False security, I’ve read multiple stories about American airport security, and how bad it is. Relevant to this is the fact that we submit to the intrusion because we want to feel safe and secure in a situation in which we have no control.
    Second, risk, Was listening to an essay the other day that talked about our perception of risk vs actual risk. We’re bombarded by news stories about this or that bad thing happening. But by definition those bad things are only news worthy because they are rare. If everyone was being assaulted on the roadside by guys with monkey wrenches, it wouldn’t be news worthy.

    We’re sold this idea that we can make life risk free which is impossible. All we can do is mitigate risk and realize that when shit happens well have to figure it out, or not.

    Keep riding and writing!
    Oilyrover

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