In the previous article, we introduced a tool that is helpful for everyone, but especially the emotionally sensitive person. While speedy emotions sometimes choose the right reaction, there are times when our deliberate thinking must refine their decisions. A window of opportunity opens after our emotions have been activated and after the message has arrived in the cortex for evaluation. When the window opens, the cooler breezes of rational thought blow in our minds if we let them. To practice and learn the importance of asking ourselves “What is the best thing to do?” and think it through is what our ancestors intended when they encouraged us to count to ten before we reacted. They did not know how our emotions functioned. But they instinctively knew we had to take the opportunity to think through the situation.
Using the Window of Opportunity Is Wisdom In Action
When we have to change our sudden defensive action for a better path of action, we can introduce the change with the phrase, “I’m sorry, I should be doing such and such,” or “Let me change…,” or “On second thought…”. Changing our reactions when we should is wisdom in action and it builds respect and trust. It is also the appearance of emotional intelligence at its best.
Emotional Creatures
We are emotional creatures, and we are driven by our emotions. Emotion is actually involved in our every action. The trick is to be able to manage it and use its power for our good and the good of others and to avoid it escalating into an uncontrollable storm. This is why the window of opportunity is so important.
Resources to Help You:
THE WONDERFUL TRUTH ABOUT EMOTION
Are there such things as intelligent emotions? Intelligently Emotional will argue that there are. And they are the ones we must focus on if we want to know success.
Ray W. Lincoln will show us how understanding the patterns of emotion in our temperament will enable us to manage our emotions effectively. If you long to know how to understand your emotions and the immense power of your feelings, Intelligently Emotional will show you the way. The path to real emotional intelligence requires learning to partner with intelligent emotions.
DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF WHO YOU ARE!
Lean into the whole truth. Discover the truth of who YOU are — the “Real You” — and who your children truly are. Discover how to best engage your children in finding the whole truth. INNERKINETICS, Your Blueprint to Excellence will guide you in that
Our team at InnerKinetics is ready to provide that help, too. If you’d like some assistance, you can request a consultation. An InnerKinetics consultant will call you to answer questions and schedule your meeting. Schedule an Initial Consultation. Alternatively, if you are more independent and want to cut to the chase, you need not wait for a call back. You can get answers to your questions and schedule your session HERE.
Our first and most important task in a world-changing mission is to learn how to think straight (and teach straight thinking) and combat the insurgence of crooked thinking in our culture and in our world today. If we become passive victims of this crooked way of thinking, we promote it. Furthermore, if we remain silent, we also give it credence. In Who Am I?, the reader progresses from how we have become “crooked thinkers” to how to break out of this prison of the mind to become instruments of change for a better world. We do this by recognizing from where we derive our value as humans. “Build a straight and powerful mind.” ~ Ray W. Lincoln