You responded impulsively.
Had no choice.
The matter happened in a spur of moment.
That, although, is far from the truth.
Between every stimulus (angry human, instant challenge, etc.) and every response (responding with more anger, feeling fearful) there lies a window of 0.25 second. And in that window, lies our opportunity to choose.
We can choose anger. Or be calm.
We can choose fear. Or be strong to face the situation.
We can choose nothing. Or we can be aware that we have a choice.
Every impulsive decision was not a result of an impulse.
It was a result of giving up the choice to think and respond.