Am I Helping Or Hurting My Cause?
Take a minute and reflect on this profound statement by Rumi. The next time you feel like raising your voice, think to yourself.. am I helping or hurting my cause?
It’s easy to think and react. We make snap decisions and judgements all the time. But what if we didn’t need to use all that energy spent ‘reacting’ to something? What if we were able to channel it into more intentional responses that will actually serve us, instead of creating more internal and external conflict? Here are 5 steps to help you think before you react.
Recognize the Trigger.
Notice when sensations are building inside of you. Maybe it’s a rising heat in your body, a pulse in your head, a knot in your stomach, or a tightening in your chest.
Press the Pause button as if you had a remote control
Take a Deep Breath
Getting a quick hit of extra oxygen to your brain helps you compose your thoughts and brings you into the present moment.
Observe
For interactions with people, just hold off and listen. There’s no rule that you have to say anything immediately. Notice the thoughts that go through your mind and simply observe them without attachment.
Press the Play button
Now you are ready to act mindfully.
Giving yourself even a few extra seconds before reacting can make a huge difference. Pressing the pause button gives you a chance to rewind, make a good choice, and then press play again to continue in a better way.
Interested in practicing this with a fellow student of this practice?