Respond Don't React

“The possibilities are numerous once we decide to [respond] not react.” George Bernard Shaw

There is a huge difference between responding and reacting to a situation.  Being conscious of the distinction between the two can change your life for the better.

Responding gently tends to disarm a potentially volatile situation instead of escalating it, whereas reacting usually adds fuel to the fire. It is also exhausting.

We’ve all been in that situation … where we’ve reacted from anger in the moment … and seen the end results.  People’s feelings get hurt, and things get messy.

Next time instead of fighting fire with fire, try fighting it with water. Pause and take a beat to respond from a higher level-- intelligently, calmly and thoughtfully -- If you do this, the flames tend to subside.

A trick to calm yourself is to put you tongue to the roof of your mouth and breath through your nose. Inhale and exhale slowly while listening to the other person.  The roof of your mouth has a pressure point, which when activated allow you to relax so you can listen gracefully until you can remedy or remove yourself from the situation.

Differences of opinion are only natural. The goal when you encounter them is to come out clean. To do that keep these guidelines in mind: listen mindfully, speak your own truth and respond with integrity and kindness. Remember, essentially, both sides want the same thing – to be heard.

Next time you come across a volatile situation, think RESPOND instead of REACT. You’ll find your life will be calmer, happier and a lot less stressful.

Here are a few RESPONDING TIPS for kinder, gentler and more peaceful existence:

-Acknowledge the other person’s feelings and let them know you hear them by saying ‘You may be right.’

-Agree to disagree, and move on without belaboring the point.

-Excuse yourself to a get breath of fresh air, then ask your Higher Power for Ease and Grace.

Namaste, Nancy.