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[4woody]

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

—Viktor Frankl

[Starrlight]

Thank you 4woody

[4woody in reply to Starrlight]

🙂

[Hidden]

Thanks for yet another thought provoking post, 4Woody.

Controlling our thinking and thusly our response can be a challenge, and many of us are quite simply out of practice. Growing up I was constantly reminded by someone important to me to "think before you respond, Snow, you will save yourself much grief." I am still, to this day, working on this.

I have a habit of being stimulated by a comment and then hastily replying, which often results in regret. Talking less and listening more is something I am striving to do.

[4woody in reply to Hidden]

indeed... seems likely that your self awareness has taken you in a helpful direction.

[Hidden in reply to 4woody]

Indeed. 🌸

[b1b1b1]

Very good quote, but the problem is that our neurotic mind is the one who makes the "choice." I often feel I do not have the power to make the choice. My mind makes it for me and is is often a painful choice, but I cannot help it.

[4woody in reply to b1b1b1]

ah the neurotic mind... it does have its own thoughts, doesn’t it.... keeps me going back to just saying no..... 🙃

[Hidden in reply to b1b1b1]

I think we all have the power. The problem, in my opinion, is believing that we have that power. To make matters even worse, we often lack the courage to act on our choice. All of the "what if's" start to haunt us if we do take time to respond, so often we blurt out a reply that invariably can be painful.

[4woody in reply to Hidden]

as your thoughts demonstrate, that it is not a simple matter... humans are complicated...

[b1b1b1]

See above answer. Do you have any thoughts on how to have your mind make better choices between the stimulus and the response?

[4woody in reply to b1b1b1]

time... I have to take the time to get to the better choice... simple but not easy...

[Hidden]

No, not easy at all.