Image: Flickr/brett jordan

“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.” (Seneca)

The next time you feel your blood beginning to boil, take a step back, breathe deeply, and wait just a few moments before responding. By simply creating that tiny space between stimulus (when someone pushes your buttons) and response (when you answer), you might find the creativity and wisdom that lies within you. In that space, you can remember what’s truly important to you. You can decide whether or not to take something personally. You can weigh your options. You can think of meaningful consequences and choices. You can respond from your principles and integrity rather than your fear or your anger.

So, do whatever you must do to stay calm in the heat of the moment and remember: the most important button on your emotional remote control is the one marked “pause”.