Sometimes I like small examples best, especially if they are personal, and especially if I am the one who learns something. I had one of those moments this morning when I took a microsecond for self observation, one of the tools everyone needs to have on hand.

Two things came together. One, at times I am slightly uncomfortable expressing my views in public. Even though nobody is sitting in this room, I know someone will read this post. Sometimes, not often, when I write a post and think about it latter I can get that warm, slightly flushed, I wonder if that worked, I feel a little embarrassed sensation.

The second part is my morning routine. I keep my apartment fairly warm in the summer (and early fall) just to avoid high electricity cost. I am close enough to the temperature edge that a couple cups of coffee and a bowl of hot cereal can make small beads of sweat form on my forehead. Very similar to the other tiny beads of sweat… the ones from being embarrassed.

So I sat down to write a post and had this moment. It is classic Psychology 101. I had to take a microsecond to decide if I had written something I was uncomfortable about or if the coffee and warm air was kicking in. It was pretty funny. It was the coffee.

Of course this example is about as benign as they come. But being able to read our own state and observe our self in action is an important skill. Like all skills it is best learned in small, and safe, situations.