Backstory
Over time, as maturity took hold, I learned to step back and take a moment before responding to a statement or question. So much wiser to consider the reaction to my response rather than blurting out something I’d regret. What trouble I could have avoided by learning that earlier.
Do Not Promise
Don’t promise when you’re happy, reply when you are angry or decide when you are sad. What wise guidelines to keep us out of trouble.
#1 – Don’t promise when you’re happy.
Doesn’t mean you have to wait until you’re sad, of course. It’s just that you don’t want the euphoria of your son’s graduation from high school to lure you into promising him a new car, if you can’t afford it – or he does not deserve it.
Wait until emotions have returned to normal, and then decide.
#2 – Don’t reply when you are angry.
How many of us suffer for years over words spoken in anger. Once said, you cannot take them back. They’re more permanent than Egyptian hieroglyphics on a tomb.
Words can stay with you for a lifetime; especially angry words. Calm down first. Then create quiet time to continue the conversation and reply.
#3 – Never decide when you’re sad.
Moving away because someone broke your heart; quitting your job because of a run-in, choosing a new dress when you’re in no mood to shop – very different levels of importance but the rules apply to them all.
- Don’t promise when you’re happy,
- Reply when you are angry
- Or decide when you are sad.
You’ll have much better outcomes if you follow those wise rules.
P.S. I’ve found that lists are a good resource in making decisions. A list of those things that are positive about the decision and those that are negative. Which list is longer? Which has more priority? Which things do you enjoy or prefer to do? What things must you do? Review the lists, honestly and factually, and the decision may evolve on its own.
[Show #521]