Bringing to light what I had buried was an essential and painful early step." I had to listen to my own inner dialogue, my own inner critique, and the years and years of lies - the story - I had been telling myself over and over and had not challenged - ever.

As my awareness of my triggers, my past, my trauma, my work increased, I discovered that the person who was being so hard on me—relentlessly judging everything I was doing and how and who I was being—was an internalized voice from somewhere in my past. It was coming from inside. This was A-MAZ-ING because it meant - I could turn down the volume, and soften the tone. I was in charge of the volume.

There is so much power in pausing, recognizing our unconscious responses and behaviors, acknowledging them, and working through the layers to get back to the core of your being—your true self. You are not the sum total of your triggers.

I changed my relationship to my triggers by casting them as clues that can help me discover what I need to let go of—and what I need more of. Go ahead and push the inner reset button. I just noticed that inside of “reset” is “rest.” And resting is one of the most powerful and healthful things you can do. You may not be “trigger-free” but you can reduce their power and use their energy as fuel for growth.