He's basically spelling out what most therapists won't tell people. We become what we think, and what we think dictates our habits. Emotions are signals, fear indicates a wall we put up ourselves, anger indicates boundaries crossed and what needs fixed, anxiety means we're dwelling on the future (of which I did for a bit), depression means you're stuck in the past (of which I had for a bit). Motivation is a myth, and you become better when you change your habits. If you're triggered by something, that indicates some trauma that's unhealed inside of you when you look in the mirror. Control is impossible, so instead, learn to make better choices, because that's what defines you.