I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

The real source of harm comes from within not from outside. I choose how I respond to things people say and do. Last night I hit myself in the mouth with my headphones. I started to get angry and then took a deep breath. It still took some effort to no get upset. It hurt. I choose though to get over it and move on. I don’t even remember the pain as much today.

I tell my kids this when they’re upset something hasn’t gone there way or they’re battling with their sibling. They choose to react and to respond. They had a choice in the matter made a bad one and are now either upset or crying because of it.