I bring up this quote from Socrates because there’s a perception out there that we are not in control of our emotions and our reactions. And while it’s true that we cannot stop our brains from feeling certain ways … it is possible to take ownership of your emotions.
All it requires is investigation into your own mind.
Think about the last time you had a big emotional reaction. Chances are, you’re reacting to something that someone did or did not do.
Got it?
Now ask yourself why you expected that person to act in a way that is different than how they did act. Be careful not to fall into the trap of assigning morality to it. It can be tempting to simply blame the other person for being “evil” or “careless,” but if you do that, you’re removing your own agency from the equation, and setting yourself up as a victim.
When we answer why we expect someone to act in a certain way, it usually comes down to a belief or story we have. Once you know about it, the action you take is up to you. You can choose to re-program your subconscious so you react differently next time, or you can commit to having another reaction once someone challenges that belief or story.
That’s up to you. But it’s certainly worth examining your mind to ensure that at least you know why you’re so emotional in the first place.
