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Is There A Chimp At The Wheel?

by vicone
11 replies
The other day I was walking near my home when a car drove past and I noticed there was a chimpanzee at the wheel. As the car passed by, I heard the driver yelling aggressively while he waved his arms in a wild and angry manner. A plastic container hurled from the car landed on the path near where I was walking.

Apart from the initial surprise, my immediate reaction was a defensive one while I considered my options. Did I yell abuse and throw objects back at the car as it moved away from me? Once I realized who was driving the car I knew there was nothing for me to do as, with a chimpanzee at the wheel, the outcome for the driver was forseeable, even inevitable. Feelings of anger, resentment, and the need for respect seemed pointless: I could trust the natural consequences of the driver's behavior.

So I took a deep breath and returned my attention to getting on with my own life. The way ahead looked calm and it was still a beautiful day.

My questions: Who is driving YOUR car? When walking quietly, is it better to carry a big stick?

Now I must go. I don't get a banana until I finish installing three new websites today.

Ivan
#chimp #wheel
  • Profile picture of the author Devin T
    Ivan, I had trouble understanding your analogy, but I think I got the gist of it.

    I would like to think that a patient, well mannered person is driving my vehicle, but this is not always the case. I find that many times I need to stop the "car" for a second and realign myself.

    What tips do you use for realignment?
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  • Profile picture of the author Norma Holt
    Well put Ivan. Point taken.

    Someone told me once that we are all trained monkeys and this is true when it comes to performing acts that require little or no thought. Some drivers are like this. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
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  • Profile picture of the author Teenage Genius
    I personally do not see how people can be patient. When i was driving i had serious road rage, nearly all drivers pissed me off. You would here me shouting things like "what are you waiting for a f*cking particular shade of green or something?" lol. hehe.

    Patience is not a virtue - to be patient with some things is GOOD. Otherwise patience is a WASTE OF TIME.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Shain
      At least it wasn't a beer can that was hurled from the car - you wouldn't want a drunken monkey behind the wheel...

      You'd have to spank that monkey for sure.

      - Netpiddler
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      • Profile picture of the author Teenage Genius
        Originally Posted by Netpiddler View Post

        At least it wasn't a beer can that was hurled from the car - you wouldn't want a drunken monkey behind the wheel...

        You'd have to spank that monkey for sure.

        - Netpiddler
        Or Train It To Spank Itself...
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  • Profile picture of the author surferman
    there are many monkeys out on streets.. but be careful they are troublemakers also
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    • Profile picture of the author vicone
      There are a number of different ways of looking at this. For instance, many people get upset when they don't receive from others the care, attention, respect and approval they think they deserve.

      How many times have we felt hurt by the lack of respect we are shown - often by those whose opinions are impulsive, ill-informed and not well considered?

      When we are treated with a lack of respect, it is tempting to think that this reflects badly on us and we are tempted to "get even", to change the attitude of the other to one that sees us in a better light.

      So we think that the way to feel better is to beat some sense into the chimps out there!

      Unfortunately, the world has many chimps and we could spend a lot of time, energy, stress and anxiety trying to convince them that we aren't chumps. By their very nature, few will be willing to listen. Many will take our efforts at trying to influence them as an indication that their opinions had some merit!

      Even though we have little control over others, there is an area where we do have some control - that is over how we respond to a situation.

      For instance, the notion of getting even. We can be sure that events in the lives of those who offend us will be in harmony with those feelings and attitudes they usually hold. There is no need for us to seek retribution, for what they experience will be consistent with their lives. We are free to seek further happiness in our own lives if we will allow it to happen, let the thoughts of vengeance and anger go and shift our attention to what is more likely to bring peace, love, contentment, and other good feelings.

      Taking control of our lives very often requires us to stop our efforts to control others - to allow that they will at times experience disharmony with what they really want, but that is true for us as well. We make a more valuable contribution to those we'd like to help by demonstrating how to attain the harmony we all desire - by living our lives according to those principles we have found to work for us and showing others how it can be done.

      The next stage in evolution is when the chimps see what is possible.

      Ivan
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Tiano
        This is similar to a story I was taught. In life we are just a rock in a stream. As the water flows past us it brings events and things into our lives. We have three options when confronted with new situations. 1. We can agree and align with the idea or event and get swept away in the current and remain in the that situation. 2. We can resist or react to the new idea or event, and again we will be swept away in the current and present situation. 3. We can look at the event, say that's an interesting point of view, remain centered and experience all the other wonderful things that life and the current will bring our way.

        This story has helped me to not always react (I'm still working on it) to things that happen around us. Just say .. hmm, isn't that interesting? and just go about my way. Since doing this I am a lot calmer and tend to not get stressed out by other people as much as I used to.
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  • Profile picture of the author cupbucket
    Banned
    Funny and meaningful. Just the way I like it. Nice
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