What really pushes your buttons and steams you up? Getting stuck in traffic that’s barely crawling. Or just being at the mercy of a driver you’re calling a/an _______ because they _______. Having your best efforts to get ahead in your career fail, even though what you’re trying makes perfect sense and should be working. Enduring that pet-peeve behavior from your spouse for the umpteenth time. Listening to your parent launch into the same old loud lecture. Watching your child do or fail to do something once again, and seem totally oblivious to the problem that has a simple solution. Being blamed for something you know is not your fault. Seeing someone else getting away with something where you’d get nailed for it every time. Praying and praying and praying for something that just never happens. Frustrations are a part of life. I don’t know of any realistic way for any of us to avoid them altogether. But our frustrations don’t have to escalate into anger, resentment, fury, explosion, or any other condition or behavior that makes life worse for us and those around us. Here are five qualities we can aim for and practice that will not only help us keep our cool, but also represent an excellent approach to living that can help us make our best possible impact on the world around us:

Compassion – Taking the time to consider what it might be like for me to be in this other’s shoes right now can help cool my perspective in a heartbeat, and maybe even improve my approach to the problem.
Humility – Remembering to keep my view of myself “right sized” in comparison to others may save me from a whole host of unnecessary pride-fueled mistakes and consequences.
Intentionality – Approaching difficult situations with a sense of purpose, keeping in mind what truly matters most to me, can really help me stay on a more positive and productive path.
Love – I know this one can feel impossible in some situations with some people. But aiming for the highest road where we treat all fellow-travelers in the ways we want to be treated and do our best to be a blessing to all is not only a high ideal – it is also the way to amazing transformation.
Levity – That’s right. Purposefully cultivating some light-hearted humor and good cheer is a great way take away the destructive power of bitterness and wrath.

I hope you enjoy your CHILL as you approach your challenges with Compassion, Humility, Intentionality, Love, and Levity!