--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As long as you and I allow others to…" description: "\"“As long as you and I allow others to program us in a way that fits their choosing, we are, without a doubt, out of control, captive to the whims of so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg" --- # As long as you and I allow others to program us in a way… ![“As long as you and I allow others to program us in a way that fits their choosing, we are, without a doubt, out of control, captive to the whims of some unknown destiny, not quite recognizing that what hangs in the balance is the fulfillment of our own futures.” quote by Dr. Shad Helmstetter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg) > ““As long as you and I allow others to program us in a way that fits their choosing, we are, without a doubt, out of control, captive to the whims of some unknown destiny, not quite recognizing that what hangs in the balance is the fulfillment of our own futures.”” Dr. Shad Helmstetter ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He warns that allowing others to dictate our choices makes us powerless, preventing us from shaping our own destiny. **In simple terms:** Letting others control us leads to loss of personal agency. Key Takeaway Take charge of your own future. Themes personal agency self‑determination mindfulness Mood motivational reflective Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - goal setting - personal development - mindful decision‑making - leadership - self‑reflection Key Concepts psychology of control self‑efficacy Questions to Reflect On - What areas of your life are most influenced by others? - How can you reclaim control over those areas? A Different Perspective Changing external influences can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I've learnt to control worry, control doubt, control my inner Virgo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/i-ve-learnt-to-control-worry-control-doubt-control-my-inner-virgo/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [Profound hearts, wise minds, take life as God makes it; it is a long trial, and unintelligible preparation for the unknown destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/profound-hearts-wise-minds-take-life-as-god-makes-it-it-is-a-long/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [You have to be friendly not just b'cos u want to,buh b'cos u don't know were u will end up being cos life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sniper-alpacino-malachi-mcash-2/you-have-to-be-friendly-not-just-b-cos-u-want-to-buh-b-cos-u-don-t/) Sniper Alpacino Malachi McAsh > [Oh, Jacques, we're used to each other, we're a pair of captive hawks caught in the same cage, and so we've grown used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/oh-jacques-we-re-used-to-each-other-we-re-a-pair-of-captive-hawks/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [The rise of digital technology put marketers in a bind. No longer a captive audience, consumers were splitting their time across devices, social networks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-amos/the-rise-of-digital-technology-put-marketers-in-a-bind-no-longer-a/) [Shawn Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-amos/) > [Our bodies are held captive, but our pursuit of freedom cannot be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/our-bodies-are-held-captive-but-our-pursuit-of-freedom-cannot-be/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [“I wonder which one of us is more despicable.Is it the person relentlessly chasing after love or the person desperately holding it captive? We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dahlia-lu/i-wonder-which-one-of-us-is-more-despicable-is-it-the-person/) [Dahlia Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dahlia-lu/) > [“One of the worst cases of employee abuse that I witnessed in the workplace was a toxic manager holding employees captive in a remote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/one-of-the-worst-cases-of-employee-abuse-that-i-witnessed-in-the/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Every person I save is another victory against the evil that festers in this world and I will not rest until every captive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/every-person-i-save-is-another-victory-against-the-evil-that-festers/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) > [“He knew that no matter what, this woman, once his blood slave, then his greatest downfall, and finally his salvation would never fail to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-stevens/he-knew-that-no-matter-what-this-woman-once-his-blood-slave-then-his/) [Erica Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-stevens/) > [“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bernock/trauma-is-personal-it-does-not-disappear-if-it-is-not-validated-when/) [Danielle Bernock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bernock/) > [Make me a captive Lord, then I shall be truly free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/make-me-a-captive-lord-then-i-shall-be-truly-free/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/my-name-is-truth-and-i-am-the-most-elusive-captive-in-the-universe/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [“Cathy, don't look so defeated. She was only trying to put us down again. Maybe nothing did work out right for her, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-c-andrews/cathy-don-t-look-so-defeated-she-was-only-trying-to-put-us-down-again/) [V.C. Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-c-andrews/) > [“Looking out the rain-fogged window at the gray November day, Mary felt almost grateful for the snug warmth of her well-heated chamber. Escape, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-george/looking-out-the-rain-fogged-window-at-the-gray-november-day-mary-felt/) [Margaret George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-george/) ## More by Dr. Shad Helmstetter > [“It isn’t the pen—it’s the writer; it isn’t the road—it’s the runner that counts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/it-isn-t-the-pen-it-s-the-writer-it-isn-t-the-road-it-s-the-runner/) Dr. Shad Helmstetter > [“Personal responsibility is the essence of self. I, for one, would rather not give that up. Why would we ever want someone else to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/personal-responsibility-is-the-essence-of-self-i-for-one-would-rather/) Dr. Shad Helmstetter > [“If you tell yourself that you cannot, what can the only outcome be?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/if-you-tell-yourself-that-you-cannot-what-can-the-only-outcome-be/) Dr. Shad Helmstetter Explore all 4 Dr. Shad Helmstetter quotes ## More Captive quotes > [“Looking out the rain-fogged window at the gray November day, Mary felt almost grateful for the snug warmth of her well-heated chamber. Escape, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-george/looking-out-the-rain-fogged-window-at-the-gray-november-day-mary-felt/) [Margaret George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-george/) > [“Cathy, don't look so defeated. She was only trying to put us down again. Maybe nothing did work out right for her, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-c-andrews/cathy-don-t-look-so-defeated-she-was-only-trying-to-put-us-down-again/) [V.C. Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-c-andrews/) > [My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/my-name-is-truth-and-i-am-the-most-elusive-captive-in-the-universe/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [Make me a captive Lord, then I shall be truly free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/make-me-a-captive-lord-then-i-shall-be-truly-free/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bernock/trauma-is-personal-it-does-not-disappear-if-it-is-not-validated-when/) [Danielle Bernock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bernock/) > [“He knew that no matter what, this woman, once his blood slave, then his greatest downfall, and finally his salvation would never fail to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-stevens/he-knew-that-no-matter-what-this-woman-once-his-blood-slave-then-his/) [Erica Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-stevens/) > [“Every person I save is another victory against the evil that festers in this world and I will not rest until every captive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/every-person-i-save-is-another-victory-against-the-evil-that-festers/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) > [“One of the worst cases of employee abuse that I witnessed in the workplace was a toxic manager holding employees captive in a remote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/one-of-the-worst-cases-of-employee-abuse-that-i-witnessed-in-the/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I wonder which one of us is more despicable.Is it the person relentlessly chasing after love or the person desperately holding it captive? We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dahlia-lu/i-wonder-which-one-of-us-is-more-despicable-is-it-the-person/) [Dahlia Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dahlia-lu/) > [Our bodies are held captive, but our pursuit of freedom cannot be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/our-bodies-are-held-captive-but-our-pursuit-of-freedom-cannot-be/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [The rise of digital technology put marketers in a bind. No longer a captive audience, consumers were splitting their time across devices, social networks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-amos/the-rise-of-digital-technology-put-marketers-in-a-bind-no-longer-a/) [Shawn Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-amos/) > [Oh, Jacques, we're used to each other, we're a pair of captive hawks caught in the same cage, and so we've grown used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/oh-jacques-we-re-used-to-each-other-we-re-a-pair-of-captive-hawks/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“Damn, Ian was already there. I braced myself as he came out from behind the RV. He sniffed, his nose wrinkling. Then he looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/damn-ian-was-already-there-i-braced-myself-as-he-came-out-from-behind/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [In 'Falling Skies,' I was playing a soldier and a fighter, and then, when I was taken captive, you're still in this post-apocalyptic world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessy-schram/in-falling-skies-i-was-playing-a-soldier-and-a-fighter-and-then-when/) [Jessy Schram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessy-schram/) > [Cage of freedom, that's our prison; we're the jailer and captive combined Cage of freedom, cast in power; all the trappings of our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-anderson/cage-of-freedom-that-s-our-prison-we-re-the-jailer-and-captive/) [Jon Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-anderson/) Browse all 138 Captive quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“As long as you and I allow others to program us in a way that fits their choosing, we are, without a doubt, out of control, captive to the whims of some unknown destiny, not quite recognizing that what hangs in the balance is the fulfillment of our own futures.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Shad Helmstetter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-program-us-in-a-way-that-fits/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Captive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-program-us-in-a-way-that-fits/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/dr-shad-helmstetter-67667_captive_as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-pro_2495093.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As long as you and I allow others to program us in a way that fits their choosing, we are, without a doubt…” — Dr. Shad Helmstetter", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dr. Shad Helmstetter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-shad-helmstetter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“As long as you and I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-program-us-in-a-way-that-fits/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-shad-helmstetter/as-long-as-you-and-i-allow-others-to-program-us-in-a-way-that-fits/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```