@missclairebenjamin: A stranger shouted at me in the street and my first instinct was to retaliate. I'm glad I didn't. Not because I think we should tolerate other people's aggression, or because I always manage to respond perfectly when I'm triggered. I definitely don't. But in this tiny interaction, I was able to pause long enough to recognise my own part in what had happened and choose how I wanted to respond, rather than simply reacting to their energy. I hadn't intended to be rude, but that didn't change how my behaviour could have come across. It’s easy to become so focused on the fact there was no bad intent that we forget to consider the impact nonetheless. Being able to hold both completely changed the direction of this interaction. I'm curious what comes up for you as you read this. Let me know in the comments. #emotionalintelligence #difficultsituations #boundaries #managingpeople #conflictmanagement
I do wonder if that person was narcissistic, if they were upset that they didn’t get thanks.
2026-10-18 15:57:30
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Tree :
I appreciate you and I learn a lot from all of your videos 💖
2026-10-19 11:25:22
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Charleah Called It 🀧 :
I get what you’re saying but why is the lesson about regulating your response to somebody else's aggression, rather than recognising that their aggression was unacceptable in the first place? I’d teach people that emotional maturity includes having boundaries and standing up for yourself. You can say sorry I wasn’t looking, but there’s no need to speak to me like that.
2026-10-16 13:24:13
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Lawrence Hawthorn :
My thought went to all the times I’ve been defensive first and therefore, lost my ability to engage intelligently and with balance to the situation. That was a great example - I need to take that away and use the pause more before responding with better charm and openness to others as you did - nice one. Thanks. 👏⭐️🌻
2026-10-15 19:06:26
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user8484164838920 :
I bet it was some entitled man. Acting abusive and caught off guard when you were nice to him. He probably was so lonely. And you were so healthy, so generous of heart.
2026-10-16 03:48:43
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spoilhan :
i used to be like the person in the car but i’ve started to detach myself too and be like well. everyone’s going through their own shit; just be patient and kind. it won’t hurt anyone. there’s only so much you can control.
2026-10-15 23:01:05
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mindful mamacita :
yay! huge win that shows what pausing for a second can do ✨
2026-10-15 21:58:18
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vanessar-de :
I'm always over apologising and I am sure I would have been mortified if I'd failed to say thank you, which like for you would have been inadvertent. I would have blushed and explained why I hadn't noticed them, for sure.
2026-10-15 23:14:48
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Myr :
Hahah! And haha because first I was offended like wtf but then I ended up being ohhh yeah, that’s right 😂 Thank you
2026-10-15 19:48:50
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fleurdaniellegriffin :
I always get annoyed when it’s late at night and I’m in the car and let people go and they don’t say thank you to me with their lights but then I realise they’re probably saying it with their hands and I just can’t see it cos it’s dark 😂😂😂
2026-10-15 20:21:01
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Claire | Work people tips :
I'm curious what comes up for you as you read this. Let me know in the comments.
2026-10-15 17:44:40
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Samantha Clark :
I love this! We need to remember that we are all human and that we all have stuff going on in our lives. 🥰🥰🥰
2026-10-17 19:33:15
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Lindsay Ullmann :
I love this !!! The world is full of misunderstandings, and it just takes that one moment of reflection to see it all differently and turn everything around. Thank you for sharing your experience ♥️
2026-10-16 19:00:43
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ms.lad.art :
Pausing is 💯where it is at. The ability to respond 😀
2026-10-16 19:03:52
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Floobylooly :
It’s an overreaction, but we also should remember to be courteous when someone shows a small kindness. We’re all so wrapped up in our own worlds sometimes we don’t notice. It would make the world a tiny bit nicer if we went back to acknowledging little things sometimes
2026-10-16 06:39:16
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sk12390 :
♥️♥️♥️
2026-10-16 17:04:00
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