My Dearest;

I would like to talk to you about manipulation. Manipulate, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as: “to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner”; and “to adapt or change to suit one’s purpose or advantage”.

In life we all face something that I consider to be “The Great Manipulator”. So what is “The Great Manipulator” you may ask? Could it be: doubt, fear, rage, insecurity, depression, jealousy, or unbelief? I would say that it’s all of the above. Why? Simply because all of these emotions skillfully influence your actions; and they tend to manage your mental state – often to the point of utter dysfunction. Emotions can govern the mind, thus if you do not have your emotions under control – they will control you and influence all that you do.

 

Allow me to share one example. Once there lived woman who loved to care for wild animals. They often roamed onto her property in search for food, as she fed them quite regularly. One day a large and aggressive male bear (known as The Bear) happened across her property, and began to taunt a more vulnerable baby bear. The old woman feeling her motherly instincts begin to rise up in her; ran out onto the back porch to defend the baby bear and scare The Bear away. The Bear eventually walked away. A short time later when the animals were once more feeding on her property, The Bear happened across her property once again and began the taunt the baby bear. Feeling that she needed to protect it; the woman again ran out to defend her cub. But this time – The Bear was waiting. As she ran out and began to defend the baby bear, The Bear slashed at her through her several foot high metal fence. She then fell to the ground, and seizing his opportunity – The Bear closed in on his prey. The Bear snatched her from underneath her gate, and then dragged her body into the woods. There he killed, there she died. When the troopers and paramedics arrived on the scene some time later, they discovered the horrific scene. And when they followed the trail into the woods, they found the woman’s lifeless body on the ground. But, they also encountered the predator who indeed took her out. He was guarding her body as a prize; it was his token. The Bear was so possessive and aggressive, that they had to kill him in order to carry her body away.

 

Let us think this over. The kind woman often feed animals on her property. This means that the animals were indeed familiar with the land. The Bear wondered onto her land and began to taunt the baby bear, and she ran out to defend it. The Bear then walked off to only return several days later to kill her. Could it be that if the other animals were familiar with her land, then the bear was too? The Bear was obviously strong, aggressive and possessive. Thus if the bear wanted to really harm the baby bear, he would have. Therefore could it be that the real target was the woman all along? And if this was the case, then The Bear might have been watching and hunting her for quite some time. The woman had a large fence in front of her back porch that was meant to protect her from any harm or dangers. The Bear therefore could have been wondering as to how he would get past her defenses to get his prey. And from way The Bear guarded her lifeless body, he wanted her badly.

We all often underestimate the minds of animals, for they are smarter than we all think. This particular bear was very strategic, and he was extremely cunning. Whenever you are hunting, one key is watchful waiting. You must wait for an opportunity for your prey to reveal itself, and any potential weakness. You also must study your prey and their movements. Another key is to drive out your prey, and getting them right where you want them.

 

So what happened? Well, the bear set a trap – and he skillfully did so. Time had shown that by taunting the baby bear, The Bear would get her attention. So it set out to toy with the baby bear knowing that it would cause her to come out. And when she did, the bear could have his desired kill – her. So how did The Bear do this? The Bear succeeded in his hunt by simply preying on her emotions, and then controlling her actions by manipulating her. He used her own emotions against her. The Bear knew that the woman wanted to protect her cub. Therefore the bear achieved his means by skillfully and strategically managing the entire situation by way of deceit. Now, if a bear can manipulate a person to the point of death – how much more can we, as humans, manipulate each other? I say this not to make you paranoid; but more so it is a challenge to allow yourself to become more discerning. You have instincts my dearest; trust them – use them.

So, let me ask you, who is The Bear in your life?

 

 The Art of Manipulation – Part II resumes next week.

 

Watch this clip from Disney Pixar’s “BRAVE”