I’m currently reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey and the first pages shed light on something I’ve always known but couldn’t articulate properly. I simply used to say, “Take responsibility for your actions”.
Stephen Covey explained it further…..

In between a stimulus and a response, lies the freedom to choose.

I had a light bulb moment reading that line. It added so much more context to just taking responsibility for one’s actions.

Humans, unlike animals have the ability to choose how to react to situations.
Whatever consequences happen as a result of our reactions, was caused by us……no one else should be held responsible. At the end of the day, we chose to react the way we did.

I’ve been reminiscing about some actions I’ve taken in the past. Some were right, some were wrong. All of them, were, are my responsibility.

So now, I’m practicing the “PAUSE”. When I’m stimulated, I should be able to pause and think about my next line of action and if I’m ready to accept the consequences that would come as a result of that reaction.

Only then, can I say, I’ve gained mastery of my emotions.