Epictetus taught that it isn't events that disturb us, but our judgments about them. Between what happens and what you do, there's a small gap, and that gap is where your freedom lives. Someone snaps at you; the urge to snap back is fast. But you don't have to obey the first impulse. A single breath is often enough to choose a steadier response. This takes practice, and you'll miss plenty of times. That's fine. Each time you catch the gap, even once, you're a little less at the mercy of the moment. You stop being a button anyone can push. The pause belongs to you.

Inspired by the old idea of response not reaction. Written by Ugo Charles.