React or Respond?

What to write. What to write!  Ok...pay attention to what's goin on around you Jen.  Look for clues...there are always clues. Hmmm.....

Then I hear the sheepish, somewhat distressed voice of my 14 year old who is studying for finals (or suppose to be and I think Net Flix took over) call my name.  Mom.  Yes sweetheart, what's up?  I just ruined your computer. 

                                    Now time stands still!  How will I react/respond?

We all know what the typical response would be and I can tell you I wanted to have that explosion. Somehow, my learning, the look on my daughter's face and the sound in her voice took over and I was able to respond rather than react. Inside I was doing all manner of contortions yet I was able to stay clear and focused on what was more important...my daughter. She already knew I would be upset and she could see it on my face and I am grateful the words that left my mouth were, "thanks for telling me." 

After a few moments with my curling iron, I went downstairs to assess the situation and to let my beautiful daughter know I was grateful for her courage to be honest, my feelings toward her didn't change, I love her and that somehow it would all be ok. Then I started praying hard it would and to have blessings for my intense patience. :)

This happens daily in our personal lives, only not always in such obvious ways. Crap happens and most times we move into reaction mode, usually creating more havoc. Instead of stepping back, for even a fraction of a second, to get into a space of choice where we can respond, we just react.

You're probably wondering what the heck this crazy lady is talking about.  Let's take a look.

You are at work, home or play and an event happens (hot chocolate!) which then in an instance triggers all kinds of thoughts and emotions we are not even aware of. Before we know it we are utilizing our coping mechanisms, usually unhealthy, and are onto creating more of an event or a whole new one. 

These are the excuses we use to stay inactive, overweight, unhealthy and stuck. However, we can stop the insanity by becoming aware...saying Stop...giving ourselves that fraction of a second to be Present and choose a different way. It allows us to be honest and to forgive ourselves and start a new way of thinking. So Beautiful...as was experienced this morning with my daughter and the hot chocolate.  She is more valuable than my computer and YOU are more valuable than the things that get you riled up and keep you in your patterns.

Look around you today and see what events occur that get you fired up or trigger emotion. Hopefully it won't be hot chocolate. See if you can identify you can identify your coping mechanisms and how you use them. Are you a reactor or a a responder in your life?

For more information on how to find and break these patterns come find me up in the Health and Fitness Academy.  Let's get you on that new journey of light, love and laughter.  It's waiting for you... go and get it!

As for my computer...the verdict is still out.  As for my daughter...she's amazing and we learned a great lesson.

Just after publishing this post...the computer guy called to let me know he was able to clean up my computer, even the keyboard!, and it is fully functional as far as he can tell.  Awesome!!

                                             Until next time...Go BE Great!!