Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom – Viktor E. Frankl
Meditation is a great way to make that “space” bigger, as are several kinds of self reflection. Watching yourself in the moment, seeing where your thoughts take you without judgement, helps you to understand your own mind. It isn’t easy, and it takes time to develop this awareness of your own response, but over time your ability to change your response (in this case steer away from certain thoughts and toward better ones) does get better.