Seneca wrote a whole book on anger because he knew how fast it moves. The feeling arrives in a flash, but the action that follows is still a choice, if you can find the gap. That gap is usually one breath wide. In the space between what happens and what you do, you get to decide who you are. This is hard. The heat is real and the urge to fire back feels like justice. But almost nothing said in anger sounds wise an hour later. Giving yourself a single breath isn't weakness. It's the most powerful thing you can do, because it keeps the choice in your hands.

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