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InnerSelf Daily Inspiration - August 26, 2026

InnerSelf Daily Inspiration

August 26, 2026
 

Learning to Manage Triggering Emotions: Finding Space Between Trigger and Reaction

By Mark Coleman

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our ability to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and happiness."

— Mark Coleman

We are bombarded with potential triggers all the time. It can be as simple as someone not holding a door for us or the perceived negative tone of an email. It can happen when a loved one speaks insensitively or curtly. A few careless words can easily spark a flash of anger and a desire to verbally retaliate.

The key, then, is learning to find some space between the trigger and our subsequent reaction. The motivational speaker Stephen Covey has pointed to this key principle: "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our ability to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and happiness." The good news is that this space is within reach. Mindfulness can help us find and grow that gap, that moment of pause.

The key is developing self-awareness, particularly of the body, so that we learn to recognize and track the various signals that indicate we are getting triggered. We can track our rising frustration or irritation and feel our heart tightening. We might notice a torrent of angry thoughts and recognize that we are becoming defensive, that we feel cornered. All of these responses, if left unchecked, can easily build like a volcano and trigger a full-scale eruption. Tracking such signals in the body, heart, and mind can give us that split-second moment when we can intercept our response before we act on it.
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Recommended Reading

From Suffering to Peace: The True Promise of Mindfulness

Mark Coleman, who has studied and taught mindfulness meditation for decades, draws on his knowledge to not only clarify what mindfulness truly means but also reveal the depth and potential of this ancient discipline. Weaving together contemporary applications with practices in use for millennia, his approach empowers us to engage with and transform the inevitable stress and pain of life. His approach helps us discover genuine peace — in the body, heart, mind, and wider world.

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Recap

This week’s issue focuses on navigating uncertainty through awareness, emotional insight, and conscious decision-making. With the addition of expanded astrology tools, readers gain both practical and reflective guidance for personal growth and life transitions.

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#PersonalGrowth #EmotionalAwareness #LifeChoices #InnerPeace #SelfAwareness
#Astrology #DailyHoroscope #WeeklyHoroscope #MonthlyHoroscope #PlanetaryInfluence
#Mindfulness #Relationships #HumanBehavior #Transformation #ConsciousLiving

 

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May we all experience, each day,
New Attitudes and New Possibilities

 

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