Chapt 7- this whole chapter was very eye opening in that it was a very simple way of explaining some other internal work that I am struggling with. Maybe that’s why I find her so infuriating? The ability to break down the immense complexity of human behavior and emotion in to digestible bites? Anyway… 1) the idea that adults are emotional as children and it is not my responsibility to manage someone else’s reactions. It is “allowing other people’s behaviors and reactions to drain” my energy, I constantly do this, but am working on letting it go. 2) the idea of letting people react is both liberating and scary- If I can’t fix things for people, how will they know I love them and how can/will they love me? 3) the idea that we mostly all are children underneath without the tools to process our emotions is insightful because it makes me realize it’s not just me- we all have issues to deal with or parts that are not fully integrated or realized. 4) idea of compassion (versus empathy versus pity/ sympathy) as response 5) hoping people will change is not realistic nor taking their behaviors personally. ( I have big problems with both of these but trying to accept reality, and avoid controlling/ manipulating others) 6) what if I am the problem? Yes, I am the problem, too. It’s tough to sallow, but working on it. 7) emotional contagion was also interesting to me. 8) idea of not being able to control emotional responses versus can control what you think say or do in response to others.

@Holly Lewis I really need to read that book!

Does anyone use todoist? It is the wire cutter pick for a to do list app

Thanks for letting me know. I am hesitant to add more systems but maybe this will be the one?

That is a hard question! I had a fun dinner last night with my husband and daughters.

@Carrie McFarland we went to a restaurant and had French food which is one of my favorite kinds

Yes I have noticed that but it doesn’t stop me from reacting frenetically in the moments where perceive I have no time. There are body sensations associated with it- tightness in throat and chest, and sometimes almost a dizziness.

Luckily we do not have as many meetings in the senate as we did in the pentagon. But I do find myself multitasking at most of them. I try to keep meetings that I schedule to a bare minimum and group meetings that are requested of me to a the same day of the week to leave open space to read and write in my day.