React or Respond?
Every living being reacts on the spot to whatever happening it feels can affect its survival. Be it sound, water, fire, wind, or hunger — reaction is quick and automatic.
Humans are no different. However, what separates us from all other creatures is the unique capacity to respond rather than merely react.
Reaction versus Response
Reaction (re-action) is always immediate, driven by impulse and instinct.
Responsibility (response-ability) is the conscious ability to choose your response, driven by calm observation, an inclusive curiosity to understand the whole picture, and watchful wisdom.
Mature and sensible people seldom react. They respond only when it matters, knowing that in the long run, how you respond to a situation determines the outcome. Succumbing to raw instinct often breaks relationships and disturbs social harmony.
A response does not have to be slow. Taking quick, decisive action to avoid damage and nullify an immediate threat is not a blind reaction. It is a rapid, right response directed by presence of mind.
The Nature of Responsibility
Responsibility does not require special training. It develops naturally over a lifetime of experiences, but only when a person is full of compassion and grows in inclusivity. When you see imbalance and ignorance around you, responsibility is the sensible choice to respond with your full ability — even while continuing to pursue your own ambitions.
It is the noble duty of every human being on Earth to carry the responsibility for the balance of life. This conscious care is what defines our true humanity.
The next time someone says or does something that upsets you today, pause. Count to three, creating a gap between the event and your action. In that gap, refuse to let the impulse dictate your behavior. Ask yourself: "What is the most sensible, balanced response that will resolve this situation without causing harm?" Act from that place of choice.