Daily Question, July 19 What might change if I paused before reacting to a situation? 34 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Carla9 months agoCarlaWhat might & does change when I pause, is my reaction followed by the response & inter-action of the other(s). 2 Reply Katrina9 months agoKatrinaSo here's the deal. Growing up as a good Christian girl in the south in the late 50's, 60's and early 70's, the youngest of 3 sisters, one of whom was always very vocal and usually got in trouble for it, I learned to keep my mouth shut, and to keep out of sight as much as possible - to not react to anything I felt, saw, or heard. It has taken a lot of years for me to even feel my feelings, and learn that I have a voice to express those feelings, whether for myself or others. Once that box was op...So here’s the deal. Growing up as a good Christian girl in the south in the late 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, the youngest of 3 sisters, one of whom was always very vocal and usually got in trouble for it, I learned to keep my mouth shut, and to keep out of sight as much as possible – to not react to anything I felt, saw, or heard. It has taken a lot of years for me to even feel my feelings, and learn that I have a voice to express those feelings, whether for myself or others. Once that box was opened, though it was like Pandora’s. It was almost out of control. Speaking before thinking; acting before processing. Now in my 60’s I am still only learning how to pause. It is not easy, when you are determined to never be silenced again. But experience tells me – it’s all about the pause. Read More5 Reply Amy9 months agoAmyKatrina, thanks for your honesty. I was born in the late 60s but because of my mom’s mental health challenges (out-of-control emotions, probably an undiagnosed personality disorder), I, too, learned to just avoid conflict. Now that I learned to be o.k. with feeling my feelings, I’m struggling with the same thing you are….the Pandora’s box. Learning about and practicing the pause is key and what I’m trying to do now. 2 Reply Cathy9 months agoCathyDear Katrina. I was your oldest sister and I am still learning how to pause, too! xo 3 Reply devy9 months agodevyWhat might change? My own state of mind and being at peace rather than create red light emotional feelings. Try to bite my tongue, breathe deeply, pull away if necessary and reflect on the situation,. why this is happening? Empathize with those who are creating the situation and think why they are behaving the way that they are. 2 Reply Howie Geib9 months agoHowie GeibI welcome any device that will uncouple my knee jerk reaction to almost every situation. Discovery of this as an option was a result of my spiritual practice. I am pretty sure it is in this space of life, in the present moment, almost removed from time-space reality, that wisdom is invited, and sometimes, bestowed. Now recognized I am obligated to undertake it. It is often accompanied by an aftertaste of calm. 2 Reply 9 months agoa wonderful practice which was inspired by the same question here some years ago…. giving myself the time to look at situations : different perspective, different feeling tone, different intention. it’s like looking at the same landscape in different weathers :sunny, cloudy, stormy, rainy, at night with only the moon and the stars….a freedom arises to choose, to suprise others, to even suprise myself. highly recommended ? and yet sometimes the quick intuitive response is just what is ...a wonderful practice which was inspired by the same question here some years ago…. giving myself the time to look at situations : different perspective, different feeling tone, different intention. it’s like looking at the same landscape in different weathers :sunny, cloudy, stormy, rainy, at night with only the moon and the stars….a freedom arises to choose, to suprise others, to even suprise myself. highly recommended ? and yet sometimes the quick intuitive response is just what is appropriate…. Read More4 Reply Kevin9 months agoKevinWhat might change if I paused before reacting to a situation? Everything! 4 Reply Amy9 months agoAmyYes! 1 Reply Ose9 months agoOseThen, the chance for a widened awareness arises, heart and mind opens up and I am gratefully responding rather than reacting to a given situation, which in return possibly may find heartfelt resonance in all concerned. 2 Reply « Previous 1 2 My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. DONATE https://gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2021, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb