Why Responding and Letting Go Is Key to Your Pursuit of Happiness

What’s best is that it is all within our control

This Sunday while reflecting, on last weeks intention to respond and not react. I concluded that while I achieved my goal in some respects, there were incidents where I fell or nearly fell short.

Thankfully I avoided an argument because I had the presence to notice my reaction and was able to respond with understanding towards his forgetfulness.

Luckily I put space in between my initial reaction and gave myself time to process and understand where the other person may have been coming from.

In reflecting on these situations, I understood and remembered that while I set my intention, these incidents of me wanting to react happened because I am human and not perfect.

It’s funny how the world has a habit of reminding you; you are not perfect whenever you dare to think in this way.

So why the intention to respond and not react?

Well, it is because I am a firm believer we are individually responsible for creating and finding our happiness. In and amongst the values I hold with high regard are kindness, peace and contentment. I recognise core to these virtues is our sense and understanding of mindfulness and compassion.

Mindfulness teaches us to be present, to absorb and enjoy the now. In doing so, we notice and respond to what’s around us and become immersed in our natural flow. In contrast, compassion teaches us to accept all that we and others are because we are human.

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