Do not forcefully suppress what you feel

You cannot decide to feel joy, stop being afraid, or look with warmth at someone you find difficult. Demanding that of yourself as if flipping a switch adds guilt to the emotion and makes you think that every struggle is fake. You can decide what you feed and how you act. Ruminating over an offense increases anger; recalling the good you have received awakens gratitude; treating someone who bothers you with respect prepares the way for a different relationship. The will has an influence, but it acts indirectly and patiently. Educating your emotional life is not about crushing it. It means repeating good choices, reviewing your intention, and letting time form new inclinations. Perhaps today you only manage not to wound; later on, a serenity can emerge that you do not yet feel.