Triggers

     When a gun explodes, we know that someone has pulled the trigger.  When people have an emotional explosion of anxiety, depression, or anger,  they may blame someone else for pulling their trigger.  Unpleasant events or feelings of the past can resurface and exaggerate their thinking.  We need to be aware of and control our triggers, to be accountable for our reactions instead of blaming other  people and events for causing our behavior.
     Trigger warning labels often placed on movies (sexual content, violence, etc.) are now being considered appropriate for written works.  If the viewer or reader thinks that certain content will trigger unpleasant or traumatic memories, they will be warned.  These warnings are also useful to determine what will be appropriate for younger people or for those who find certain subjects objectionable.
     Sometimes, a trigger can cause positive reactions; something stimulates the imagination or stops procrastination so we can get moving toward a goal.  We need to develop ways to trigger ourselves toward beneficial behavior and control ourselves instead of blaming others for triggering negative behavior.  We also need to minimize triggering others who may not be able to control their reactions.