Anger is easy. Thinking clearly while you’re angry is the actual skill.

REFLECTION

WHAT THIS MEANS

Feeling it is automatic and costs nothing. The rare ability is keeping your judgment online while the feeling runs, because anger narrows the options down to about two and both are usually bad. People who can do this have practiced a gap between the feeling and the action, and the gap is the entire skill.

Build yours as a rule rather than a resolution, because resolutions do not survive the moment. Nothing gets sent while your hands are shaking. Type the reply, leave it unsent, read it after dinner. Same rule every time, so it works when you are not thinking well.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

When did you last stay clear-headed while genuinely angry?

MORE IN MINDSET & IDENTITY

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