Typically this is when you find yourself:

• getting more upset than a situation warrants
• going from zero to pissed off in a few seconds flat
• hanging on to old hurts and feeling them like they just happened

Now before you deny that you have ever experienced this, let me tell you, we’re not buying that. And, before you go beating yourself up about how it has happened, let me just welcome you to the messy and emotional world of the human race.

The “truth” is that we are emotional and feeling creatures with varying copying skills and abilities for handling life’s disappointments. So wherever you are on the bell curve of communication savvy just know that AWARENESS is the first step to change.

So, let’s deal with the grumpiness first! A great way to stop it in its tracks is to ask: “What is this really about?”

I guarantee that if you are feeling “grumpy” that what you think you are upset about is not likely “it.” It may have been the “last straw” or it may have been the “trigger”…but it is unlikely to be “it.”

If you are willing to try that on, then it will allow you a bit of distance and a bit of objectivity in the middle of a grumpy mood that will then open up the door to curiosity.

When you are curious you can ask yourself these wonderful questions:

• What am I afraid of?
• What do I think this means?
• What do I think will happen?
• What do I think this says about me?
• What if…?
• Am I tired, hungry or hormonal? (good to ask yourself that last one, not appreciated if someone else asks – LOL!)

Some Character Codes hang on to anger and hurt feelings longer than others. Some will be quicker to anger and get over it faster. It is helpful to know which one YOU are and the people around you!

More next time on how thoughts create feelings…what fun!