Response and reaction may not be words that we use every day, but they are both words that make up who we are almost every moment of our lives. And thanks to them, they may give us the biggest clue to happiness.
Though the two words are used interchangeably, there is a remarkable difference. I would urge you to challenge the conventional understanding of the two words. The common way to define response is that it is a reaction to a question, experience, or some other type of stimulus. Reaction, on the other hand, is an act in response to something. Confusing, huh? As a living organism, we humans cannot shy away from outside stimuli, may it be physical, mental or emotional. Unless you are deficient in your sensory abilities, it is hard not to have something or someone hitting a raw nerve. However, things might turn slightly more problematic when we allow that response to become a reaction. That is to say, it is followed by us acting out. In seconds, this action is derived from an innocent thought initially, which then gives rise a feeling and eventually to the actual doing. Whether it is a resistance towards yourself or others, it will create every obstacle to stand between peace and you. The skill for us to develop is to curb it at the juncture where it is still only a response. We can do it simply by noticing and observing but not indulging and allowing it to develop into a lingering thought. And if a thought does arise, do tell yourself that it is nothing but a thought - and most likely a very deluded thought that comes and goes.
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