I need to think about quick responses. Rather, I need to work on recognizing emotional turns of face, the kind of pangs and discordant ugly-face reactions that billow up and out across my cheeks when I hear something I don't like. The first step to learning is to isolate out those responses, to freeze them in place for a moment. To suspend thought and just sit inside of a bubble for a few moments. If I can remain self-aware, if only to slow down the vestiges of zealous disagreement, perhaps I can be open to learning something new and expanding the world around me.
Great insight. Taking a pause and living in that gap for a moment, before reacting. From Cheri Huber,"Life is as it is, we get to choose our response". There is great freedom in realizing I have that choice. I can do something completely different. Sometimes taking three slow deep breaths helps, before I say or do anything. It's hard for me as an addict not to take everything personally; the truth is I would be better off to take nothing personally.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and that's a great point about potentially taking nothing personally. I like that configuration a lot.
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