Intrusion

Reflecting on my responses to others

How dare they? © by Dave Graham

Have you ever had one of those moments where something or someone comes barging into your perfectly framed shot? That moment when you thought your composition and framing were just perfect, and you find out that someone has decided that your space is the exact area they need to occupy. If you have, you’ll understand the feelings that emerge when this occurs.

For some of us, when things are arranged just so, we find ourselves in a place of inflexibility. Our expectations become rigid and fixed based on what we believe should be the outcome. We’ve composed the shot and waited until the light is perfect, and it should be captured as God and ourselves intended. Even the slightest derivation causes decompensation, a movement to either passively address the wrongs through murmured cursing and sputtering or more active methods and means designed to signal our displeasure.

Even further, we sometimes take on the role of divine punisher on behalf of someone else. Perhaps we’re along for the story and understand how much that captured moment means. Maybe we know the effort required to keep all the pieces and people together in one place to capture that perfect moment. Regardless, if punishment or corrective action needs to be meted out, we’re there for it.