Perfecting Youth

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Samkit Yuvak Mandal

Page 10

HOW TO
CONTROL "TEMPER
Appearing to be almost similar, the two words 'react' and 'respond' bear a gulf of difference when in practice.
We seem to be at a disadvantage when we react. We tend to go on a defensive mode. We are uncomfortable with the things happening or going around and so we react. Our emotions and not reasons play a central role when we react. The distance between the two eyebrows gets narrowed, the face turns furious and at times even heats up and our defenses are on red alert.
There is a downside to reacting. We let our emotions drive us forward without any reason. Self control is also lost as reacting is sporadic and emotional. The upside in reaction may be passion, but our passion needs to be centered on purpose
PHOEN
and not on an unexpected, unproductive stimulus.
On the flip side is respond. There is still an external spur to our response. Responding, though is more thoughtful. Responding is guided less by emotion and more by logic and understanding.
Responding may be passive in nature as we are going one down in a series. Still response is effectively active as it can change the direction of an interaction. The upside of a solid response is an engaging conversation. If mindfulness is being more centered, then this is a practice we need to embrace to prevent reacting and focus on responding.
Do we react to the situation or Respond?
PERFECTING YOUTH