" Respond/React … "

Bring it back to Respond/React

Then bring it back to Respond/React to this

Bustin thoughts that pierce your mental

The fierce rippin your sacks and

Simple as addition and subtraction ...

Bring the international charm, see a squad I harass

REACT, you best adapt when I sling this rap ...

~ The Roots ~ Respond/React ~

***

When something happens in our life, it is hard not to act in a conditioned way.  A way in which we react out of habit.  A way in which we give up our freedom because we are not making a conscious decision.  And just how do we do this ... by reacting rather than responding.

Now there may be a slight difference between the words yet in practice there is a massive difference.  Reactions are defensive in nature ... uncomfortable, emotional, and out of control.  And these very emotions without reason drive us forward unproductively.  Responding is full of thoughtfulness and reasoning.  Responding is guided less by emotion and more by logic.

So where is the difference ... mindfulness

The easiest way to be mindful is to focus on your breath.  Maintaining balanced breathing rhythm is essential as this allows us to regain our concentration.  This breath brings awareness of our body, how we feel, where we hold pain, discomfort, tension.  With focus on our breathing, we also bring our body into a steady state which calms our systems down.  With each breathe and raised awareness, we bring ourselves into control and release tensions. We let go and become more centered in who we really are and want to be. Releasing tension returns us to our principles and calmer ways of interacting.   

With self-awareness training, we can become aware of these automatic reactions that rule our lives and earn to put conscious effort into deciding for ourselves before we act.

Our goal is to take the time to think, make a rational decision, and respond with a purpose.  Personally, meditation has given me the ability to stop reacting automatically to things in my life.  To think things through.  To give the space I need.  By giving conscious awareness of this process, I can choose my response to situations as they arise … conscious awareness ~ conscious effort ~ conscious decision ...

Between stimulus and response there is a space.  

In that space is our power to choose our response.  

In our response lies our growth and our freedom 

~ Viktor E. Frankl