Hi All,
I discovered a couple of different things that help me in the heat of the moment. I agree with Sky that I statements need to be tempered somewhat, sometimes. #1 I buy myself a little time by just thinking about what I want to get across before I say it and, #2 if all else fails I say "well, reasonable people disagree all the time" and see where the conversation goes from there. I typically do some of this in meetings in my place of employ. If I'm strictly talking about my feelings elsewhere, I do use "I" statements.

Dr. Clay, glad you are better.
Okie