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Daily Question, March 26

What might change if I paused before reacting to a situation?

  • Kylee

    Almost always it prevents me from saying something I may regret later.

  • ADP

    When you pause first before reacting, the outcome is most likely going to be different. When you take a breath and let God lead you, your more adapt to handle the situation more positively.

  • Malag

    If my reaction is going to make the situation worse then a pause limits the risk of adding fuel to a fire. And that fire could be inside me or inside someone else or both. But not everything needs a pause. If my dog is looking adorably at me there will be no pause.

  • Ose

    Oh, of course it offers space to understand better and based on this, being able and respond accordingly.

  • Don Jones

    In my wood shop, I call it, measure twice – cut once. Helps reduce swearing dramatically.

  • pkr

    When I pause & go to that calm, serene place, the situation that triggers me is quieted. My reaction comes from a place of peace & not frenzy or upset. This is so much healthier for me & those around me.

  • KC

    If I pause before reacting, I am able to gain a deeper, more true perspective, lense and response from the inside.

    Just as Alara offers, it feels like a full-bodied Tango, for now. I do hope it will become easier, and more natural, with practice!

  • alara
    This is the 64 thousand dollar question for me. Most of my life I have not been unable to pause without reacting. In the rare moments I withheld, I stayed seething, and mulling. I have remained totally baffled as to why I could not.refrain (tried many tricks). In the past month, I have been practicing Stop Look Go. Br. David says it’s like learning to Tango you have to practice, practice, practice. Recently, a surprise, I was able to hesitate and not give my two-cents. I noticed I w...

    This is the 64 thousand dollar question for me. Most of my life I have not been unable to pause without reacting. In the rare moments I withheld, I stayed seething, and mulling. I have remained totally baffled as to why I could not.refrain (tried many tricks).

    In the past month, I have been practicing Stop Look Go. Br. David says it’s like learning to Tango you have to practice, practice, practice.

    Recently, a surprise, I was able to hesitate and not give my two-cents. I noticed I was doing this (my beginner’s Tango steps). I was at choice for the first time, and there was no just holding back or holding it in.

    My life focus has shifted to gratitude and I am learning to dance with it. I trust now.

    Read More
    • alara

      And I absolutely treasure the Word of the Day, today.

  • Mica

    I would react less negatively. I’m grateful for 2 recent instances when ‘life’ gave me that benefit – erasing my negativity for me.

  • Antoinette

    Pausing slows down the reactivity of the mind and creates space . This space changes everything! It’s is a wake up call – so pausing allows truth to shine. It’s the space that allows creativity and life to grow. Pausing is the light of mindfulness which allows me to listen to truth. Then I can respond with wisdom rather than reaction.

  • Barb C

    Everything.

    My heart rate and blood pressure as I take a deep, full breath.

    Which part of me I bring to bear: the kind or thoughtful or compassionate me, or the me who’s reacting without considering the other person’s point of view and without trying to find common ground for a way forward.

  • Marnie Jackson

    I might be better able to understand the other person’s perspective as well as coming up with more creative solutions to our challenges

  • Michele

    A different perspective.

    • Hermann-Josef

      Obviously today is your birthday . Sending you a bouquet made of special flowers like long life, health, happiness , financial security, love, inner and outer peace, god‘s blessings and gratefulness💐 there are some more flowers in it, you have to name them… happy birthday 🎻

      • Michele

        aww, thank you so much Hermann-Josef:) I love flowers and I especially love your special flowers.

    • KC

      Michele,

      Happy Birthday! Wishing you many happy pauses, and 53 delightful new views from your perch today…

      🙂 Warmly, KC

  • EJP

    Pausing enables my inner wisdom and knowledge to kick in which would create a far different reaction to any given situation.

  • sunnypatti

    Pausing allows time for processing. When I pause, I think about the situation and (hopefully) go forward appropriately.

    Happy Birthday, Michelle!

  • Laura

    If I pause, I will not react. I will act instead.

    Happy Birthday, Michele! 🥳
    May you enjoy 53 flavors today!

  • Patricia

    Today I’ll remember that my “reaction” is more likely to be a “response” if I ponder first.

  • devy

    The outcomes of my reactions. Learning to bite ones tongue is a skill that may prevent heartaches. Once words come out you cannot call them back.. take time to ponder and think before reacting..

  • Howie Geib
    I used to just take pictures. See something interesting I wanted to capture in an image, point, and shoot. Now I take my time. Before I pick up the camera I check out the lighting. Where is the sun coming from? Which direction will offer the most color? Shadow? Then, looking through the view finder, I begin to frame. Paying attention to the outline of the view, the proportion of sky to land/water for example, where is the horizon? Then focus in and out on the object. None of this takes a lot of ...

    I used to just take pictures. See something interesting I wanted to capture in an image, point, and shoot. Now I take my time. Before I pick up the camera I check out the lighting. Where is the sun coming from? Which direction will offer the most color? Shadow? Then, looking through the view finder, I begin to frame. Paying attention to the outline of the view, the proportion of sky to land/water for example, where is the horizon? Then focus in and out on the object. None of this takes a lot of time, but it does take time. I am recollecting myself. It is in that span of time that the artist may show up.

    It is the same way with life. I have to get some distance from it, especially when it is challenging. That’s the only way I can show up. The only way that whatever nuggets of experience I have gleaned can produce an authentic response to life, one that allows me to live artfully

    Read More
  • Mary Pat

    I would respond instead of reacting, and that would be so gooood! This is something I really need to work on…thanks for the insight.

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