You Choose to React or Respond

Choices abound. Sometimes choices ashamed, but at other times, certain choices are pretty obvious. Any way you approach the topic that choice options available, either Excel or hinder. As people, we were armed with our Creator with the power of choice. It is one of the factors that distinguish people from animals. Some people make these choices or decisions more easily than others.

Every day, we decide how we will spend our precious twenty-four hours, and consider all that the world presents to us. We choose how we will be affected by both everyday occurrences and those who are far more unusual. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we choose to either react or respond. These are not the same, because you are negative and one is positive. As we choose can have a significant impact on our lives and possibly those close to us.

Response to outside influences, are usually beyond our control is generally a negative choice. Response means that we have given responsibility for the situation to someone or something else. We are giving our input and control in any case. We are now at the mercy of the situation and are forced to be a reaction mode, where we constantly dodge bullets and expending large amounts of energy just to stay afloat. In a reaction to a situation we do not expect to come because we are too busy to handle the current. The future then surprises us and the whole mess starts again.

React to a situation that is a positive choice. It is the opposite of responding. It is proactive and anticipates that there is yet to come. Reaction is preceded by thought and prayer often. In responding, we take responsibility and have command over how the situation affects us. We also have control over how it affects us internally. We decide where the level of personal consequences.

Our life, family, career and other daily activities and interests operating at breakneck speed and seems sometimes to be faster. One thing is certain, the old days sitting around on the porch every evening listening to Mother Nature's gone to many of us. The pace of life in Mayberry, as healthy and calm, as it seems, is unfortunately a thing of the past. We live life in the fast lane.

A major news magazine is currently featuring material devoted to stress and anxiety in our lives, and their impact on our cardiovascular health. Although not entirely surprising that such information is alarming. How did we ever get to this point? Witness the number of television commercials and magazine advertisements for gastric distress, acid reflux, anxiety, depression, headaches and other ailments that are increasing in frequency. There are millions of prescriptions written each day for these medical conditions, most of whom will find their roots in internalized stress and anxiety.

People spend many hours of their life worrying. Worry is a futile, energy-robbing activity that has affected many. No one has ever benefited from worry, but many people participate in it. Worry is the opposite of faith. Worry is negative, while faith is positive. There is no mystery here. Many books have been written on the subject. The conclusions are the same: "Do not Worry, Be Happy" and "Stop worrying and start living" are among the many topics presented. Good advice indeed.

Most areas of life gives us choices. We must choose to either respond or react to circumstances. We choose not to worry. Learn to be aware that you have a choice in these cases. Learn that there are ways you can handle everything, either positively or negatively. Learn to your choice can affect your very health, both physically and mentally. Learn that there will be costs associated with bad choices, worrying and negativity in general. These may include social, monetary, peace of mind and time costs. Probably, the total costs associated with adverse selection is too high.

Learn that a positive reaction to the circumstances of life will reduce or eliminate the worry and contribute to your overall good health and wellbeing. Find joy in life. Be happy.