React, Respond, Assume, which one are you? (The Power of Choice)

Today I want to talk about the difference in reacting vs responding and how poisonous assumptions are.  In any given circumstance, lets say a bad one, what makes it bad?  Is it the circumstance or is it the person interpreting, responding, or reacting to such?

WHAT we experience is what it is based on HOW we choose to experience it.  We can either react or respond.  One gives us infinite possibilities and the other is limiting and generally self-destructive.

Life happens, good and bad...it's as simple as that, it is here, now, so what's next? There is one positive thing we can do, our choice in HOW we respond.  No matter how ugly or bad such an experience may be, it can only be so if we choose to react or respond.  Usually one does not choose to react so in that case we can say a response is more of a conscious choice than a reaction.

HOW we respond shapes WHAT we experience.

A response is different than a reaction.

When we respond, we are aware, conscious, and present with what is.  There may be an initial violation of expectancies or whatever but once we stop letting our past conditions react for us, we then take a position of consciously responding.

So often we react.  A reaction is an unconscious or irrational assumption (Ego driven).

Example:  The person who cuts you off (I'm sure many of us have all experienced this)

Let's say that someone cuts you off, maybe your initial reaction is, "that person cut me off!" An immediate irrational assumption (Ego is playing Victim)  This is what I'd call a reaction.

A response would be not jumping to conclusions right away and not taking it personally.  Maybe the person who "cut you off" didn't see you or they had to get over because their turn is coming up soon.

Also keep in mind, there is no way to communicate this to the other person stating, "hey did you mean to cut me off back there?"

To simply put, a reaction is taking an initial position on something disregarding the other side or an irrational immediate assumption.
A response is starting off neutral and allowing yourself space to be rational and not jump to immediate conclusions or assumptions.  We only assume because we have not communicated.

When we react, we never give ourself the possibility to respond and when we respond, we change HOW we experience our WHAT.  Respond positive and what you experience will be positive.  It is as simple as that.

"Communication is Clarity" - JB

Assumptions are poisonous, stay away from them.  And if you must assume, at least give the benefit of the doubt and keep it positive.  Even if your positive assumption is not true, at least you did not poison yourself with something negative.

Too often we personalize and assume things without even seeing another possible side or communicating with the other person expressing our position.

Let us start to respond instead of react.  If you find yourself assuming something, seek clarity.

In any given circumstance, ask yourself, "do I want to react and assume? or choose to respond?"

The choice is and will always be YOURS.

With Love and Gratitude, JB

ALL IN (a state of being)

What does it mean to go "ALL IN"?

For me this is putting all excuses aside, telling yourself "I can" and "I will", disregarding any limitations, physically (work with what you have) and mentally, and finally, doing your best (while also having fun)

When we go "ALL IN", we become raw and tap into an infinite source that lies within every single one of us.  The source that eradicates unfulfilling thoughts and behaviors.

If we tell ourselves, "oh there is not way I could do that" before even trying it, that is the opposite of "ALL IN" and a self defeating thought as well.

Why would't we give 100% with everything we do?  Not just physically but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually...shoot, even socially and relationally!  This is what it means to go ALL IN!

When we tap into this "ALL IN" state of being, we unleash something within...something that has been buried with excuses, conditioned thoughts, limiting behaviors, etc.

We owe it to ourselves to always at least give us the chance to hit that "ALL IN" state of being and way of thinking.  Ways in which we do not give ourselves this chance are by not showing up, creating excuses, blaming things outside of ourselves, laziness, not taking ownership of our lives, and whatever else you can think of.  Anything that is a disservice to your being.

I am speaking on behalf of this "ALL IN" state of being because of a recent epiphany I had with it.  No one is perfect and we have our off days but remind yourself that these are merely moments.  When we understand that these moments are just that, it gifts us the ability to see through it, get up and go ALL IN.

"Life is not built for excuses, it is built for execution."

Elevate your SELF
Eliminate self defeating thoughts
Execute your thought into action
Eradicate laziness

- J3