Let’s talk about diffusing bombs. Not explosive devices, but explosive behaviors, situations, and people. This week’s video will help you keep your cool to respond with careful precision.

Life can be volatile. In our hyper connected, anxious world, emotions often erupt on hair triggers. Behaviors detonate into irreversible consequences. People and relationships can shatter to pieces. Sometimes you need to distance yourself from destruction. Or, you may choose to join the bomb squad.

This elite group has the knowledge, skill, and protection to change the course of events by doing what is uncommon, necessary, and often life saving.

Like the countdown clock you’ve seen in movies, you have time – but not much – to avert predictable disaster. In the present, precious moment you must stay calm, focus, and decide. These three keys – your mental state, elevated awareness, and decisiveness are key.

The Serenity prayer, authored by Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932, helps me get there in just 7 seconds: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

You can’t change past events or other people. You can’t control the outcome. You can provide powerful influence when you pause to summon inspired, higher perspective, then courageously decide and act, often in different ways than you have before.

Instead of cutting the red or blue wire, you may need to cut the next sentence or reflexive action. Cut the judgement or sarcasm. Deploy curiosity, empathy, and care. Instead of blowing up or self-destructing, first pause to do nothing, then something courageous.

So the next time you hear the ticking clock or feel the urge to explode, call on calmness, awareness, and courage. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.