A psychologist, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, on Sunday urged Nigerians to be self-aware and put on self-restraint during provocation to engender peace, tolerance and respect among their neighbours and colleagues.
Nwachukwu, who is the Executive Director of Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Enugu on how Nigerians can check escalation of unnecessary disagreements and conflicts.
Nwachukwu noted that someone could get provoked and have at some point provoked others as well, adding that controlling one’s emotions “in the heat of the moment is an attribute that few possess.”
According to him, unchecked anger, a sense of entitlement and superiority only serve to escalate conflict and leave lasting memories of regrets when the heat dies down.
He said, “Remember that, ‘a soft tongue can break a bone’ and ‘harsh words stir up anger’.
“A moment of emotional indiscretion can lead to a lifetime of regrets, a damaged reputation and loss of relationships or worse.
“True strength lies in restraint, humility and understanding.
“If you are in a position of leadership, power or authority, do not allow the fleeting status or other advantages to cloud your judgment, believing it grants you the right to treat (provoke) others as you please.
“They are transient. When impunity, arrogance and entitlement take over, they can blind one to the impact of one’s actions, often leading to severe and irreversible consequences. Power is a responsibility not a licence for impunity.”
The expert noted that when individuals are not in tune with their emotions, they could let pride or ego dictate their thoughts and their behaviours.
He said that self-awareness remains vital to our human interactions because it allows us to step back, assess our actions and understand how we are impacting those around us.
“Without it, many fail to recognise the line between authority and abuse, or between confidence and arrogance.
“True greatness is marked not by the titles we hold, but by the kindness we show and treating everyone with dignity.
“Respecting others, regardless of status, is not only wise; it is essential to building a society rooted in empathy, accountability and genuine human connection.
“We must remember that power is fleeting, but integrity and respect endure, and they are what truly make a person worthy of admiration,” he said.
The psychologist also gave some character traits that would lead one to self-awareness/self-restraints, which included: learning to master your emotions; loving your neighbour as yourself and deliberately identifying, learning, avoiding or mastering your emotional triggers.
Others are: being humble and avoiding pride; walking away from a tense environment if you can; taking deep breaths and countdown from 10 when tensed up as well as praying about it, remaining calm and reasonable among others.
