“I will close my mind to what I hear and see when it tempts me to quarrel or resent.” (ODAT, 11 November)
Sometimes I can hear and see impartially. I’m like argon. Non-reactive. Literally 'noble', in the chemists' terms.
Sometimes I can’t, and I’m reactive, like lithium, and fizz or explode when certain topics are raised.
In such cases, best to go into the corner and count myself until I have detached.
Sometimes things are worse, and I’m radioactive, like uranium, giving off electrons left, right, and centre.
Best, under such circumstances, to separately myself entirely from others and wait until I’m depleted.
When I’m safe, and no one needs a Geiger counter, then I can re-enter the company of others and the world.