As part of the Getting Things Done methodology, David Allen talks about the martial arts concept of having a Mind Like Water.  I was talking to a friend the other day about it.  I mangled the quote at the time Jules, so here is the actual quote:

Imagine throwing a peddle into a still pond.  How does the water respond?  The answer is, totally appropriately to the force and mass of the input; then it returns to calm.  It doesn’t over-react or under-react.
– David Allen

Zendictive has a better version of the parable.  And some advice on controlling feelings.

STOPing.
From Zen Psychiatry, the STOP acronym:
Stop when you realise you’re about to get hijacked by your reaction.
Take a Breath
Observe how your body is reacting.
Proceed when you’ve done the first three (STO)

Related posts:

The Bucket Of Water Thing. “We’re dead in the water …” If everyone’s a hero, the word has no meaning

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