Do you Act or React?

[51anna]

This is a question I've been asking myself during this past week. I'm usually fairly good at remaining calm, but the past few weeks have pushed all my buttons.

We've just made a move and I have had buckets of bureaucracy to deal with in order to sell a house/buy a house/get utilities going. I realized last week that I was almost shouting at the rep from the moving company. Granted, the little sneak had changed the final amount of the bill three times, but still...And, I was obsessing about getting a health card (pretty valuable in Canada) and was very upset to be told that I needed a government-issued marriage licence, rather than the Church-issued one that I have had for...well way too long.

So, Anna, take a step back and breathe. I made a decision to not let others dictate my actions. Where I felt I had been standing up for myself, I was actually giving away control, by allowing someone else to 'make' me lose my patience.

[WLDKATZ]

I react some times just vocally but man sometimes......I hate that side of my personality

[Done-With-It]

I say that all the time, there was someone here who I said it to and they put it under there name. I have a sign that says that on my mirror in my bathroom, cause that's a big one for me.

Cause Anna, People always want me to REACT TO THEM!! :rof

or so I like to think.

But I can relate esp. when it's as important as something like health care cards, but reacting usually gets us know where.

This Xmas my Mom was telling me a story about her & my step dad she got mad at him because of his road rage (just honking, yelling, etc) told him to calm down you don't know what's going to happen, I guess something happened at this stupid traffic light that doesn't work right. They argued over it.
(But what good is it to yell and holler at a car?)

Anyway the next day, my Mom is watching the news and in that same exact spot 15 minutes later, the same type of thing happened, but this time someone got out and shot someone, the guy who honked at him.
It was only in the knee and he was okay. But still.
My Mom was like SEE! I TOLD YOU, I TOLD YOU....

My point being, I so agree with you, acting is so much better. Reacting these days can be dangerous as well as giving our power out.

Have you been doing your Yoga Anna???

[51anna]

Yes, I have Miss Done.

I am a very flexible lady!

I love the Sun Salutation routine. I think that's my favorite.


Your story about the car really makes a point for remaining in control!

[Paulie]

Where I felt I had been standing up for myself, I was actually giving away control, by allowing someone else to 'make' me lose my patience.

Very wise words!!!!

[lovingseren]

I have learned to use the gift of hesitation.
I have also learned not to take things personally.
I am responsible for myself, my actions, my thoughts and my attitude.
I have also learned that some days just sucketh.

[nandm]

Thank you for the reminder Anna, I needed it today.

[CarolD]

I'll pass along my personal mantra

"How Important Is It?"

If I stop and think of this...
it gives ne time
to blow or go.

[indigo]

I used to be so reactionary and it left me feeling frustrated, nowadays I try to step back a little from the situation, make decisions on how I ought to act, I do much better by doing it this way.

[Digginit]

I do a bit of both. I usually regret the reactionary things I do, and I'm learning to slow down and sometimes even *do nothing* (can you imagine???). Reactions seem so crucial at the time. Disasters could occur...lol. Maybe a little hypersensitivity needs a good "hypo" lesson.

[itiswhatitis...]

anna,

i heard this for the first time at a meeting last week - it is profound, i think...

step 1 - i can't
step 2 - he can
step 3 - i think i'll let him...

good luck with the move - i've been missing you...

love,
s