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- Examine Your Impressions:
- Evaluate initial reactions to events, people, and information.
- Be rational before emotional reactions cause unnecessary troubles.
- Determine if the situation is under your control, and act accordingly.
- Remind Yourself of Impermanence:
- Acknowledge the impermanence of things.
- Enjoy every moment leading up to potential loss.
- Adopt a healthier way of living by avoiding nasty surprises.
- The Reverse Clause:
- Mentally rehearse potential scenarios when planning actions.
- Prime yourself to align with how the world works.
- Be less agitated when things don’t go as expected.
- How Can I Use Virtue Here and Now?:
- View every challenge as an opportunity for self-improvement.
- Embrace obstacles as a path to personal development.
- Pause and Take a Deep Breath:
- Before responding impulsively, take a deep breath.
- Recognize that being hit or insulted is only harmful if you believe it is.
- Avoid complicity in provocation by maintaining self-control.
- Other-ize:
- React to your own mishaps with the same patience as you would to others’.
- Understand and empathize with others who may be overreacting.
- Speak Little and Well:
- Be conscious of what and how you speak.
- Engage in intellectual discussions rather than empty matters.
- Consider the impact of your words on yourself and others.
- Choose Your Company Well:
- Surround yourself with those interested in virtue and self-improvement.
- Recognize that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
- Respond to Insults with Humor:
- Counter insults with humor to disarm negativity.
- Foster positive interactions even in the face of criticism.
- Don’t Speak Much About Yourself:
- Recognize that others may not derive the same pleasure from hearing about your exploits.
- Avoid dominating conversations with excessive self-talk.
- Speak Without Judging:
- State situations without making premature conclusions or judgments.
- Avoid labeling actions as inherently good or bad without understanding the reasons behind them.
- Reflect on Your Day:
- Before bedtime, reflect on the good you did and areas for improvement.
- Consider your actions and behavior throughout the day.
