While the skills you are practicing do have their advantages and benefits, dealing with conflicts and life circumstances require a slightly different set of skills. The being calm and in a good frame of mind is essential - absolutely! The next skill has to do with being able to shift your perception of an event, especially if it bothers you.
For example: a coworker snaps at you. One perception could lead you to feeling angry and hurt, while another perception could lead you to feeling compassion for the coworker. The first perception is that your coworker attacked you - what a jerk! The second perception is that your coworker must be having a really bad day. In the first case, the perceptual choice was to take the act personally. In the second case, the perceptual choice was not to take it personally. Being able to shift your perception allows you to detach from certain emotional situations and it also allows you to view a situation from another person's point of view (which can be very useful).
Can you see where having additional skills can increase choices in behavioral response?
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