Be back to writing soon!
Did you catch Dateline NBC last week? The story was titled “Under a Halloween Moon”.
It’s the story of Joel Lovelien and how he was murdered, and who did it. Joel was at a bar with his fiancee when he went out to help a man out who missed a party bus, and ended up being beaten to death. The story is quite interesting.
One man who was out that night is Travis Stay. He is seen being interviewed on Dateline NBC.
Travis gives me serious pause. He shows almost no emotions, except when it comes to him. He had a black eye at the time he went to police, was the last person seen with Joel and he was found with blood on him. He also left part of his costume behind at the crime scene.
But what throws it over the top for me is when Travis says that he wants to apologize to Joel’s family for being part of the equation that night and for drinking and being reckless.
If you were put on trial for a murder you didn’t commit, would you have a need to apologize to the family, who wrongly thinks you committed a crime you didn’t? After enduring an entire trial, even though you were acquitted? Most people would be really upset they were tried for something they didn’t do. Not Travis.
Furthermore, Travis doesn’t remember what happened that night, but he tells us that Joel was his “only friend in the parking lot that night”? Really? How can he know that?
Travis’ thinking doesn’t square with me for someone whose been wrongly look at for a crime he didn’t commit.
Practice spotting the 7 universal emotions. Who’s surprised? Who’s afraid?
…and who is showing stress??
Have fun!
There is new research out that supports something I’ve always believed. Not only are empathic people good at reading people, but so are manipulative people.
I have witnessed really skilled manipulators, including psychopaths, read people like a book with chilling ease many times in life, and I’ve come to realize that is how they pick the perfect targets.
The research hypothesizes that people who manipulate pick up on more negative emotions and doubt.
I believe master manipulators pick up on insecurity and doubt as it reveals a critical weakness in a person that will make them likely to fall prey.
In working with law enforcement, I often stress that a suspect may be equally as good or even better at reading the interrogator–to beware!
The best gift we can ever give ourselves in life is honesty in all areas of our lives because it naturally boosts confidence. If we trust ourselves, we’ll be a lot better at reading others!
Thanks, CJ, for sharing this article with me!
Copyright by Leonard Cohen, titled “Haunted”
What do you see when you look at this expression?
