i thought about panic.

but i decided not to. this is the response Jim Lovell, the Apollo 13 astronaut on the repeated question regarding the prospect of unable to return to Earth. wow-ee. so much knowledge and wisdom to unpack in this simple response.

panic is a thought, a mental activity, mental ripple. it's not who and what Lovell is, not who and what i am. so, my job as a human being, a seeker, is to work at not being driven by it. it's okay and natural to have panic and i have the capability to not act under its influence. it doesn't mean it's easy but it's certainly possible and doable.

can this principle be applied to other thoughts? all thoughts? you bet. what about emotions like anger, frustration, greed? absolutely.