I am on a visit to someone. While she is out, a man comes in and looks around the apartment. He says my friend/the owner sent him to get something. Somehow, I end up going with him to help him (apparently) help her with something. While in his car on the highway, I realize I am being kidnapped. I plan on taking a photo of him and put it on social media, send to friends and the police, and then let him know. Since he is driving and won’t be able to get off the highway any time soon, I also plan on alerting other cars, and if possible make him stop there on the highway.
Yes, I am sometimes kidnapped by parts of me. They sometimes go down a metaphorical highway to some unknown and unpleasant destination. And it is good to let me, other parts of me, and other people in my life, know when it is happening, as a kind of insurance. It’s less likely to come to the worst conclusion if we all know, and we all know we know.
How does this look in practice?
(a) Something in me is triggered. A wounded part is activated, frightened, and reactive. It wants to protect me.
(b) I am on my way to an unpleasant destination by being caught up in, identifying with, and acting from that hurt part of me.
(c) When I notice, I let me know what’s happening. I am caught in an issue, and if I act on it, it will not be wise or kind, and it will have consequences for me, others, and relationships. Sometimes, very unpleasant consequences. Even if I am able to rein it in, it still has an edge to it, although that’s better than going with it fully.
I can let others in the situation know what’s happening, if I am comfortable with it and it seems wise. I notice I am caught in an issue, and I don’t want to act on it. Maybe it’s better if we do this another time. That reduces the chance of me actually going down that road to its destination.
A few more things to explore:
Who did I visit? A middle-aged woman I had some kind of business connection with, and someone I trusted but hadn’t known for long.
Who kidnapped me? A well groomed middle-aged man in a blue suit. He had his image in order.