buttonsIf people would just stop pushing my buttons, everything would be great and I’d be an awesome guy. That’s the obvious solution, isn’t it? Other people changing for me? Unfortunately, there’s one problem with that ‘solution’: it’s impossible. There will always be button-pushers. And my buttons keep getting pushed! So here’s the real question: How effectively can you name, understand and dissect your buttons? 

Me? Oh, not so well as I would like. How about you? It’s the secret to happiness, you know. This is what I’m working on. The next time someone pushes one of my buttons, instead of getting mad, I want to notice that button. I want to get excited that they found it and thank them for the insight! I then want to use this insight to disarm the button. What sets it off? What is my emotional state? What am I protecting when I react? How do I feel? What’s at risk? How would I rather be feeling right now? How do I want to be with and for this person? Could they REALLY be as ridiculous as I think they are in this moment? You, know, stuff like that.

All I know is that I have GOT to get rid of some of these buttons; I’ve simply collected way too many along the way.