Reacting to that pesky snow

This past week I woke up to a spring snow. I reacted not responded in a very visceral way. Oh yes it was a painful morning for people near me. Normally, I am pretty upbeat but it has been a long and cold winter around here. And that painful weather person’s voice annoyed me so much. Then as the sun began to glisten off the crisp cold snow and the steam rose from my coffee, the words of a friend bounced around in my head, “Act – Don’t react.” Such good thinking. Reactions come out of our past. We react to situations where we feel powerless out of control. Responses come out of a place of power and responsibility and it involves an ability to respond to life with trustworthiness and alignment with our values. Reactions to situations come from somewhere in our past and perpetuate problems, and enlarge the complaints and can be contagious.

A spring snow is a perfect example of what can just set the day off wrong. We listen to Bad Morning America and off we go with a negative reactionary attitude for the day ahead. What are some of your reactions points? Can you think of people in your circle of friends and aquaitanses that are responders? Can you learn from them? What responses have you noticed in yourself that have been helpful lately? Don’t let your reaction trap you. Act on life and maybe on a cold spring morning take a little extra time for a steamy cup of tea, or coffee, and a little time to read the New York Times or Wall Street Journal or the latest copy of Cruising the Caribbean. Bundle up in that polar fleece and take a winter walk. Soak up the sun even if their is a wind chill. Stay Well and Seize the Day!

~ by Denny Meyer on March 30, 2008.