Of all the things in life that have a tendency to set our trajectory or path, our ability to respond instead of react when things go south is an important skill. It's been said that all problems can be overcome through discipline. If that's true, learning to discipline our emotions will solve many of our problems.

Unfortunately, we tend to react instead of respond and let our emotions rule our decisions instead of mindfully deciding what we should do. And although this is a long and often difficult process to change our ways of handling difficult circumstances, it all starts rather simply: we need to first understand and realize that we have a CHOICE. We actually have options and can choose what we do! While for many this is rather obvious, you'd be surprised how powerless we often feel, almost as if how we've always acted is our only option for how we will continue to act. This simply isn't true and we need to take our power back.

You and I and everyone, when confronted with anything from spilled milk to addiction triggers, from someone cutting us off in traffic to a loved one ignoring us or rebuffing our advances, GET TO DECIDE how we're going to respond. Between every stimulus and response is a space where we can exercise our right and ability to choose what we're going to do. And while this is only the start of an often long and difficult process of disciplining and managing our emotions, you need to know that it's possible and you CAN DO IT! So make the commitment and roll your sleeves up. It'll be worth every effort : )