If you find that your life is in immediate danger, react in whatever way is necessary to survive. In every other situation, try not to react at all.
If find yourself reacting, try to pause.
If you find yourself paused, think about how your were going to react. Surface-level thinking is not sufficient, especially if you were angry prior to the pause. Push through to second-order thinking, at least. The deeper the better.
If you find yourself thinking about how you were going to react, turn your thoughts towards imagining the ideal outcome for others and then for yourself too. (Others first, but don't leave yourself out.)
If you find yourself imagining ideal outcomes for others and yourself... congratulations! You are doing better than most. Please be patient while the rest of us catch up.
July 22, 2024