When I used to wait tables, every so often I would have a table that was in a terrible mood and clearly had an expectation that their evening was going to be crap. Inevitably, I would spill something on their table or drop something, and that wasn't like me. When that would happen, I always knew that I was acquiescing to their negative expectation versus holding my personal space.
Once I could identify it, I could reclaim my crown chakra and my inner authority and shift the energy without succumbing to their expectation.
After I did this, I could regain my joy, and it became a game to see if I could shift their energy. I would be perky and complimentary with that table. Not in a false or fake way- I would truly look for something I could compliment them on.
I would say nine times out of 10, I could get them out of their negative expectation simply by me changing my frequency. Then they would rise to my level, rather than me sinking to theirs. Of course, there was always that table that was determined to be miserable, but I was friendly anyway, because I wasn’t going to let their mood impact mine.
I recently had another experience where I had done so much work setting the energy for an event, but the chaos was so high, and I felt like I was pushing against a wave. It wasn't until after the fact that I realized why some of the beautiful work I had done had dissipated- energetically, another person was determined to be in control.
I would love to say I caught it quickly, but unfortunately, I got swept up in the chaos until I finally realized what was happening and then I took my power back.
So, sometimes you can shift it in the moment, and sometimes it won't be until after the fact that you realize where you’re susceptible. Having that awareness is invaluable. I caught where I was susceptible to somebody else's control energy. And let me tell you, it won't happen again with this person because now I recognize the pattern.
This is why it's so important to ground yourself and to own your sovereignty. Because if you don't, it's easy to be like a leaf that just gets blown in the wind, versus the rooted Oak tree.
Also, you’re human. Even when you're very grounded, stuff happens. You don't beat yourself up, you can catch it when you can and shift it.
That's where your power lies. Not in the perfection, but in the pivot.