When do you let it r-r-r-i-p?
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The day that the lady at the nail place accidentally waxed off half of my left eyebrown was, to say the least, eye-opening.
After applying hot wax to my brow, she ripped it off, let out a gasp of horror, and started moaning: "Sorrysorrysorrysorry!"
My hand went to my denuded brow, and, after a moment of shock, I told the lady -- who was now shaking -- that it was just an accident. I peeled off some bills (I even tipped her in my stunned state!) and headed home.
When my husband Michael saw me, he pretended (poorly) to not be giggling. When my twins Jacob and Sophie saw me, they didn't even pretend. After I explained what happened, Sophie asked, with a gleam of mischief in her eye: "Did you get mad at the lady?"
"No, honey, I didn't." I replied, boasting of my self-controlled serenity.
Bad move.
"WHAT???" demanded Sophie. "You didn't get mad? For THAT?"
And in an instant, I knew just what Sophie was thinking: "How come you get annoyed when I leave toothpaste in the sink or don't kiss Grampa goodbye...but when someone RIPS OFF YOUR EYEBROW, you don't even get upset?"
(Note: I'm glad I didn't mention the tip.)
Sophie, of course, had a point. We choose how we react and respond to situations (like a messy bathroom or a tough board meeting), to states of mind (like exhaustion or anxiety) and certainly to people (like our kids or our supervisors). And even though our responses feel automatic, if we recognize our "triggers," we can slow down our responses, consider our options and then choose what to say -- or not say -- next.
Want to know more? Click here to download Ten Questions to Help You Respond More Effectively...
...BEFORE you let it r-r-r-i-p!
Know someone who can relate? 
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