The more people around you are emotionally reacting, the more it pays to be thoughtful and patient with your own perspective. Emotions are contagious. When they surround you in your peers, your family, your news, and your social networks they will sweep you up and carry you away like a wave before you can decide which direction is best to swim.
First, because we mimic what we see most. Second, because we use crowds to assess what’s “normal” or “expected”. Third, because shared emotional experiences form strong bonds and we crave connection.
Emotions don’t want you to slow down, expand your view, and evaluate. They want you to speed up, narrow your view, and react. There’s a time and place for both. But it’s not for the crowd to decide. It’s for you to decide.
Discipline is the shortcut. Do the work.
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