Reaction or response?

Look around, NOW, most especially now. There is an agitated, antsy feel in the air. A symphony of mixed energies of chaos, confusion, anger, feeling lost and vulnerable, even a sense of futility. What is common to them all is the level in which they are born from – fester and breed. These energies, these thoughts are born of our reaction to events that shape our lives, that affect the prism of our experiences, hopes and dreams.

At the fulcrum of our everyday activities are our thoughts. Our thoughts shape us and our lives’ direction. We become what we think we will become. If we ever wonder why we are the way we are, and we don’t like it, then it is obvious that we only have ourselves to blame.

And when we see how messy and confusing everything seems to be around, then the times are just reflective of the kind of collective mindset and thoughts we all have today. It becomes clear, too, that majority operate from reactions rather than response.

Between the words REACTION and RESPONSE lies the whole gamut of our present day experiences. The difference is quite simple. Reaction is impulsive, unthought-of of action, often times, knee-jerk actions. The thought forms that float around this word are old thoughts – meaning thoughts that have never changed and have constantly kept within the "stagnant" comfort zone state. The energy that characterizes this is wanton fear-based emotions. When experiencing "Reaction," the mindset or consciousness is slumbering.

Response, in stark contrast, arises from clarity. Its energy is steady and balanced. The thought forms that float around this experience are those of openness to possibilities, newness and the search for a difference. The energy that characterizes this is adventure and a certain wise detachment. When experiencing "Response," the consciousness is sharp, alert and unafraid.

We straddle both experiences in our lives. We are more alert to responding to certain things in our lives than others. Old behaviors and habitual patterns are what bring out our reactive tendencies and this we must watch.

If we find ourselves always feeling like the victim, or caught up in negative angry emotions, cursing during traffic jams, role-playing "victim" and "martyr," harboring hatred that one just cannot shake off from the past. These only mean that we are reacting rather than responding to life. If we choose to react from fear that propels a reaction, rather than from a response, it is easy to loose control and to act irrationally. Then, we become part of the imbalance of our world, where the majority of actions are reactions.

To respond to life means to be consciously aware of the possibilities that each new moment brings a response, to detach from the angry emotional political statements of a mob. Or to step away from circumstances and people that bring you negative energies. Responding is also about healing, lightening-up, loving, balancing. This kind of a response serves a much bigger purpose for it is a response to a call of the times. It is a response that arises from a clarity that to dissipate the negative, we must bring forth the positive; to lessen the agitation means not to become part of it, but to bring steadfast elevated energies to dispel the lower.

A perfect prayer for the Reaction-Response dilemma of our times comes from the popular prayer of St Francis:

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope

And where there is darkness, light.

For every reaction, a response to counter.

The purpose of our lives stems from the deepest part inside us – from that core which is our inner being, our Soul. We resolve to put all our strengths and aspirations towards first, finding our purpose, and second, proceeding with determination to fulfilling it. It is only through learning to walk or live with "Response" can the constant newness in our journeys unfold.

You want to change the world? Respond to it!