Opposition Day 4: Opposition Response Over Reaction

“Between stimulus and reacting, there is a space.  In that space is our power to choose.”

What's the difference between ‘Response’ and ‘Reaction’?  Reaction is a spur-of-the-moment, uncontrolled emotional expression that occurs in a split second.  In martial arts, we train to do this very thing, but we do not do so in moments that require a controlled response.  That is what is a reaction?  Reaction is intentional; it has been given time to evaluate before words come out of your mouth or decisions are made.  Reactions are not cold decisions; they are driven by emotion and by habit.  Habits you created from past experiences, including those you may have responded to too quickly.

We are learning to react to opposition by first creating a pause, a moment where we can take a breath, align our awareness, before we act.  Ask yourself: ‘What reaction aligns with who I am becoming?’  Are you someone who regrets the words and actions that happen instantaneously, or someone who can step back and say, ‘I made a well-informed decision, based on what I know’?  Not a quick decision, but a long-term strength that benefits my future self.  Pause is a skill; it's not like any other skill.  This skill improves with practice and gets better as we refine it.

Opposition often tries to rush you into a reply, and this sense of urgency can lead to mistakes.  Calm creates clarity when a hesitant response is needed.  This is where you gain control and a better perspective.  In self-defense, we react in kind.  From our repetitive training, we know how to react accordingly.

​If someone demands an immediate response, don’t allow their fire drill to be yours.  Your discipline in controlling your words and actions is what creates self-confidence.