Reacting or responding

Events occur throughout the day in our lives in which we either react or respond. Reacting usually occurs on an instinctive level as a way to protect ourselves from harm. We swerve to avoid hitting an object in the road, we jump back from a speeding vehicle that is coming towards us as we cross the street, we pull our hand away from a hot burner on the stove. Our actions occur in the blink of an eye without much forethought. Responding occurs after we have taken time to think through a situation. We mentally evaluate what is happening and act accordingly. We verbally respond to another in a conversation based on what needs to be said. We respond to a phone call based on our availability. We respond to a kindness by expressing our gratitude. There are times when we react to situations that would be better served by responding. When someone says or does something that is not life threatening and we react with anger or violence we are more likely protecting our ego than our physical self. When you are tempted to react in such a situation, take a moment to think it through. If appropriate, choose to respond rather than react. Ask yourself what you need in that moment and be prepared to ask for it. It definitely reduces the need for forgiveness later on when the incident has passed. What was an incident that you could have chosen to respond to that would have made life easier for you?