Response.

“I’m trying to think of the right thing to say…”

Those lyrics, from the song “Passionfruit” by Drake, played in my ears as I had the idea to talk about the importance of response.

Pretty fitting!

I have spoken a lot about the value I place on words.

With that, much of that value is held in responses.

I want to always be listening to those around me.

Proper responses not only help show others we are listening and care, but it also helps us form understanding out loud while we think about that information… thinking out loud in a sense.

So often lately, we see responses that are negative.

Whether it is on social media or in person, there is a lot of complaining, anger, and confusion in response.

I even catch myself preparing a response even before I have heard, seen, or attempted to understand what’s going on.

We are hard-wired to play defense with our responses to what comes at us in life.

I had a day in early June where I attempted to challenge this instinct.

I told myself and others that I wanted an open and positive mind in response to what happened to me that day.

Later on in the day, at work, I was responding positively to the challenges of the day.

Then WHACK – I was struck in the chest on the fly with a golf ball that flew in the area where I was working.

About 30 seconds after being struck by this drive, I stood back up and jumped into a positive response.

“That could have hit me in the head, neck, collarbone… I am lucky!”

INSTEAD OF: “How unlucky is that, that ball could have landed anywhere and now I’m in pain for no reason”

That response to a moment of unfortunate pain kicked off a trend leading into today.

Over the last month and a half, I have found it much easier to keep a positive outlook on what happens around me.

There’s lots of noticeable negativity in the world right now, so let’s try and be positive in response to whatever comes our way.

It not only affects the aura of others, but it affects the growth of YOU.

Let’s shift those responses.

NS

“I believe a few words can change your day and your life.”