Every emotional reaction from our adulthood comes from a deeper place in our childhood. I've decided to remember this and take a breath when a person compromises my ego. If I take a mental beat and analyze the origin of the sting it calms down the edgy beastie inside me who gets angry enough to make the offender pay dearly. I must repeat to myself,

1. "I am not nine-years-old"

2. "No one is trying to crucify me today."

3. "Just because I didn't have control then doesn't mean I don't have control now."

4. "Emotional reactions show weakness."

5. "Silence takes them out."

"I must repeat #5 to myself twice (silencing a Wilkinson is a hefty challenge indeed).