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The Pause Before You React

A tiny delay prevents huge regret.

5 min

Principle

Speed is the enemy of decency.

The fastest response is rarely the wisest one - especially when emotions spike.

The Failure Mode

When triggered, your nervous system takes the wheel.

Words spoken in that state often create problems that did not need to exist.

The Practice (This Week)

  • Wait 60 seconds before replying to anything that raises your pulse.
  • If needed, write a response - then delete it.

Reflection (Optional)

What situations consistently hijack your tone?

Lesson Cards

Principle

The Pause Before You React

Speed is the enemy of decency.

Failure

The Failure Mode

When triggered, the nervous system speaks before wisdom arrives.

Practice

This Week's Practice

Wait 60 seconds before replying to anything that spikes emotion. Draft the response - then delete it once.

Practical wisdom for living decently in a complicated world.