While I haven't yet been - and probably never will be - accused of calling someone stupid, I have certainly fallen into the trap of saying things or behaving in ways that I later regret. Because I know this about myself, I've taken to a little self-talk from time to time. For example, if I know that I'm entering a stressful or high-stakes day I'll often spend the length of time it takes to drive to work to think through the day ahead and plan what I want to say and how I want to act. This kind of planning helps me more readily access the best part of me when the going gets tough.  That's one way I go about expressing who I want to be, every day.

Thanks, Mary!
Alan