“The only thing we have control over is our choice to either react mindlessly or respond mindfully to “what is” in the current moment ”
Graciously, every morning we are given a new day. And for each of us, a new opportunity to live fully - to contribute something good from our hearts and actions.
It baffles me why we continually forget what a gift Life is. What a true miracle we experience with each new start. Instead we sometimes awake angry and resentful, ready to fight our perceived battle of the day.
Whether to react or respond to Life is always our choice. It is linked to our free will - guided by our belief in who we are and what we’ve given our power to.
The triggers and powerlessness generated by these beliefs create volatile and fearful reactions. Our ego/conditioned self has been working overtime since childhood to protect us when we feel threatened or uncomfortable.
It is easy to rationalize our reactions. On any given day some new evil snakes out from the shadows and rears its ugly head. Our despair deepens when we become aware of yet another senseless death or a narcissistic demonstration of greed and power. Our underlying fear may well be, that none of us is truly safe.
Did you know that reaction is just a habit? It is a built in defense mechanism that gives us the appearance of being in control. It feels like our rebuttal is somehow a form of protection.
This habit creates a deceptive buffer between what we truly feel and what we outwardly express to others. It camouflages our authentic selves by holding us in repetitive patterns of self sabotage.
Reaction is the explosive result of our pattern - What- if -ing?
In an instant an outside trigger evokes all of our emotional history and like a data base, our brains search frantically and efficiently for the correct defense. For the moment, to feel safe. For the moment, to feel in charge.
What if I show up authentically, will I get smothered by others energy?
If I speak my truth, will I be ridiculed or have my truth used against me?
What if I say nothing, do nothing, will I be judged as being weak?
Our fear of being vulnerable can be a great source of anguish in our lives. In reality, being vulnerable is the essential piece for us to be present, to accept “what is” and to be empowered to choose our mindful response.
How can we navigate the anxiety and sadness we feel when witnessing the conflicts of our world? What can we possibly do to make a difference? To personally contribute something good?
We can start by taking responsibility for our part in the agitated energy that begs for guidance and direction!
We can take a personal inventory of ourselves and of our actions.
We can demonstrate our courage by being honest with ourselves and others.
We can move our bodies, quiet our minds, and embrace time with nature.
We can introduce or renew our practice of Don Miguel Ruiz’.
The Four Agreements
1 -BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
2 -DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
3 -DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
4- ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST