Category: responses

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Inspirational Thoughts motivation responses

Managing Our Responses

A good guide to live by

An Overreaction can be described as an irrational, emotional reaction to some situation, leading to a response that is more forceful than is justified or can be considered reasonable.

When faced with an undesirable situation, our immediate instinct is typically to switch to self-preservation mode. In the absence of information we try to fill the gap with what often turns out to be the ‘worst case scenario’. The problem is that sometimes we end up doing more harm than good.

The impact of overreacting not only affects us, but potentially anyone else involved in the situation we are responding to. In fact, it can make the situation worse.

Interestingly, when we respond without the benefit of information, our response typically betrays our deep rooted fears, or even stereotypes, that might have shaped our expectations.

When we expect bad to happen – especially as a result of past experiences – the slightest resemblance can lead us to conclude that this IS in fact the reality. Put another way, our perception of a situation is often shaped by our expectations.

The bottom line: An overreaction is like using a sledge hammer to drive in a thumb tack. It will get the job done, but the damage can be devastating!

O. N. Rowe

We can learn to minimize overreactions by pausing before we respond; by considering the possibility that we could be wrong; and by taking steps to gather as much information as we can, or as we need, to help with applying an objective response.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

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responses Self Awareness Value of Silence

SILENCE – Sometimes The Best Response!

Silence, when used wisely, can be of far greater impact than the most eloquent and carefully thought out speech. After all, wisdom and intelligence are not demonstrated merely by what is said, but by what is left unsaid.”

Let’s face it: we have all encountered people who are quite arrogant, mean or downright insensitive in the way they speak, who use words as weapons rather than tools of encouragement, teaching and of peace.

If we are not careful we will spend such a long time being crippled by the words directed at us, that we find ourselves either becoming demotivated, demoralized or withdrawn, careening back to a place from which we have struggled to emerge. The point is, we sometimes internalize these words to our detriment.

For some, the natural response is to attempt to protect ourselves from possible embarrassment by lashing out at the person, or to seek to defend ourself against that which has been said, by any means necessary. Whatever our motivation or objective from responding, in a number of instances we might well be best served by doing one thing: walking away.

You don’t need to attempt to defend yourself, or even respond to, every unkind or untrue thing that is said to you or about you. By your lack of response you are then demonstrating your superior emotional intelligence, wisdom, and strength of character.

Moreover, by your silence you would be removing the venom that might have been directed at you, thereby thwarting someone’s effort to hurt you with their unkind words.

Silence, when used wisely, can be of far greater impact than the most eloquent and carefully thought out speech. After all, wisdom and intelligence are not demonstrated merely by what is said, but by what is left unsaid.

Knowing when to apply which, is PRICELESS.

#silence #silenceispower #wisdom #walkaway #ignore #wordssometimeshurt #thinkbeforeyouspeak

Put up barricades against the negative impacts of words aimed at destroying your confidence or your character.
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emotional pain inspiration patience responses

A major paradox of life is this: people who are hurting tend to hurt others

While we all endure pain in its various forms from time to time, whether emotional or physical, our responses tend to vary depending on the cause or source of our pain. If we hurt our foot against a piece of furniture we do not kick at the furniture in anger. If we are injured, say in an accident, we tend to be very protective of the injured area.

However, if we have been hurt by someone we tend to lash out at those who we believe to be the source of our hurt. Unfortunately, when we cannot readily identify or reach to the source of our hurt, we instead tend to lash out at others. This is because our level of tolerance of others becomes impaired due to our emotional state, thereby putting us in a defensive mindset aimed at self preservation. In such a state, the wrong word or action can send someone careening off the cliff of self-control.

So next time you feel like lashing out at someone just pause long enough to consider your emotional state, and ask yourself: am I directing my anger at the correct person? If not then is it fair to ‘lash out’ at him/her?

Conversely, it is worth being aware that if someone lashes out at you for no apparent reason, it might just be that they have been hurt by someone else, and a response of love and patience might be just what they need to put their hurt into the correct perspective, or perhaps even to assist in healing their hurt.

Anger, especially when not properly managed, may not only cause unintended pain to others, but can be ultimately quite embarrassing.