We get triggered. We attack or withdraw. We lose connection.

So often it happens in a split second, outside of our awareness.

But what if we could catch the triggers as they happen more often? What if we could pause and notice that we are about to launch into an angry outburst or withdraw into our shell? What if we could choose to stay connected in those stormy moments?

Getting triggered is part of being in a close relationship, so we don’t have a choice if we will get triggered by our children, partners, siblings, or parents. Triggers are part of the fabric of all those relationships.

We can choose how we respond when we are triggered, at least some of the time. We can develop a closer relationship with those triggers so that we can notice them as they arise and treat them as a sign to slow down…