That knot starting to tighten. The grip starts to clench. The lines in your face narrow.

I know that feeling too well: you’re ready to go to war with your partner, friend, parent or maybe your child in a heated discussion. Of course they’re wrong — they clearly don’t know all the details as you do!

But…but…but: is it really worth finishing the fight? With the ones we love, usually not. And sheepishly you realize this days later.

My challenge to myself: learning to calm the ‘lizard brain’ of reaction before conflict bubbles to a boil. The love is what remains.

Hoping to remember to being excellent when it’s easy not to.