What is important is what we do next. Instinctive responses will trigger thoughts, and they are the ones we need to control

• Anger for example is usually the result of putting oneself in an echo chamber of negative thoughts about unfairness or rejection
• Being insulted by someone is a good practical example. Our reptilian brain will feel attacked, and we will instinctively respond to that attack by a defensive mechanism and a rush of adrenaline. We physically cannot control that part, and shouldn’t. But we can acknowledge it and decide not to attribute any judgement of value