Thought of the day

Are you acting or reacting? Every day we have to make literally thousands of choices. I’m willing to bet that 95% or maybe even more of our choices are reactions to the things that are happening around us. I’m certain I will hear, “Well, that’s only natural Richard, we have to react to those things around us”. I’m going to give you 5 to 10% reaction… the rest of the 90%, I don’t think it has to be reaction. When the speeding car is heading toward you… yes, react. When you drop the hot skillet full of grease on the stove and fire bursts everywhere … yes, react. When you are in danger we will always react, that’s called the survival mechanism.

But what about the disgruntled customer causing a ruckus at the checkout counter? Is it necessary to react with impatience and anger? No, but how often do you? When you’re driving home from a long day at work and someone cuts you off in traffic … is it a necessary response to flip them off and yell obscenities to your windshield (you know the other driver can’t hear you!) No, it’s not a necessary ‘reaction’ but millions do just that every day!

I’m here to tell you to stop reacting, and start acting. We have a choice that is the great thing about this life. If we can’t choose what is happening to us, we certainly do have the choice in how we are going to respond. And let me tell you … there are NO SMALL CHOICES. And the law of cause and effect has been around for a very long time; since Socrates gave it to us. So, don’t think for a second you will be able to avoid it. Every choice you make (or don’t make) will impact you later.

If you don’t like where you are, start making different choices. Put the action into the Attr-action!