There are more than six billion people on our planet and just as many ways of viewing life and how it is experienced. There is, however, one thing that we all have in common and that is the power of choice. It doesn't matter who you are, what you know, who you know, or where you live, you have the power to choose. Each and every day we choose how to spend our time (yes, even that job you hate is your choice) and we choose how daily occurrences will influence our lives.
Not only are we blessed with the power of choice, we also can decide how to deal with whatever life presents to us. We must choose to either React or Respond. At first glance these two paths may seem to be pretty much the same, but looks can be misleading because in reality these two paths lead to two very different destinations!
Let's break it down and make it simple.
React- When you are in "Reactor" mode, you are acting (making decisions) under the influence of something or someone. Reacting is surrendering control, getting "caught up" in the "immediate" and will leave you unprepared for what may happen next because you aren't thinking of anything else. I like to call this "Freaking Out"! See picture example below.
"Freak Out Mode"
Reaction mode, if left unchecked, will easily perpetuate itself and therefore create and endless cycle of stress. Reaction is negative. Think of a patient suffering from an illness. The patient is given medication that he is allergic to and he has a reaction.
Respond- When you are in "Responder" mode you act upon a situation and not under its influence. Responding is taking control of the situation, having an awareness of further implications that may arise and being prepared. It's interesting to note that one synonym for the word "respond" is "answer". When you are responding you are seeking or creating an answer to whatever it is you're facing. To respond is positive. For example: The patient is responding to the treatment.
Isn't it wonderful that we can choose which of these paths we can follow? Naturally, during the course of my life I have thoroughly investigated both, and I highly recommend taking the path of the "Responder"!
Which path do you most frequently find yourself? Please share your thoughts, your methods of staying on the right path and your experiences!
