You Will Be Triggered

FABLES FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN
READING TIME: 1 MINUTE

It may seem like there aren’t many things you can count on in life, but one certainty is that you will be triggered. You are, after all, an animal. You are wired to juice up warning chemicals that set your body ablaze when threats trigger that very specific response. 

Be grateful. It helped your ancestors survive. It will up your chances of staying alive and unharmed too. 

Be cautious. As triggers abound, you must accept some triggers are false alarms. Well, to be honest, the vast majority of 21st century triggers are false alarms. 

But it’s too late. Your brilliant mind-body is already triggered. So what do you do? 

You ask one question in an instant:
Am I at risk of bodily harm?

If yes, take action. Use those chemicals to fly into your best defense. Your body is ready.

If no, slow down, Kiddo. Anger and fear are the root of the downfall of humanity - individually and collectively. Don’t rant, retaliate, destroy. Stop yourself.

It’s called “the heat of the moment” for a reason. 

That’s why you need to let that passion cool. Pause, sit, walk, breathe, count, sing, run, relax, rock on the porch, pet your dog or cat. Stall until those well-intended but erroneously triggered chemicals cool.

DO NOT ACT.

If you act in anger or fear, you will surely hurt, destroy, and make things worse.

When you are cool, your actions can be at their proper scale. They will have the capacity to heal, build, and solve. Even the most sincere apology can’t repair what you weakened or broke in anger or fear. It takes so much more to restore what took so long to build.

It’s called “returning to your senses” for a reason.

You will be triggered.
Just make sure you know when NOT to fire. 

I love you,
Granny

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