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