In December, we are discussing creating miracles inside the Daily Dose of Healing Membership.
The book, A Course in Miracles, teaches that miracles are not supernatural events reserved for a chosen few. Instead, they are shifts in perception that are available to everyone. By aligning our thoughts with love instead of fear, we can transform our lives and those around us.
Things happen. Sometimes we have control over what happens and most often, we don’t. While we may not control what happens to us, we have a choice about how we respond.
How we react to an event versus how we respond to one can make all the difference in the world.
Though these two terms are often used interchangeably, they are fundamentally different in their origin and impact. Reactions are rooted in past conditioning, while responses arise from present-moment awareness.
What Is a Reaction?
A reaction is immediate, automatic, and often unconscious. It’s driven by the nervous system and shaped by past experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns. Reactions are survival mechanisms—your brain’s way of protecting you from perceived threats.
For example:
- Someone cuts you off in traffic, and you instantly yell or gesture angrily.
- A colleague critiques your work, and you lash out defensively without considering their perspective.
These reactions bypass the reflective parts of the brain, originating instead from the fight-or-flight response. While they may serve to protect us in genuinely dangerous situations, reactions often perpetuate conflict or reinforce unhelpful patterns when the “threat” is emotional or perceived rather than physical.
What Is a Response?
A response, on the other hand, is intentional and mindful. It arises from a place of presence and self-awareness, allowing you to pause, assess the situation, and choose your actions deliberately.
For example:
- The driver cuts you off, but instead of reacting with anger, you take a deep breath and focus on getting to your destination safely.
- Your colleague critiques your work, and you calmly ask for clarification to understand their feedback.
Responses are grounded in the present moment. They reflect your values, intentions, and higher self, rather than unconscious programming.
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom. — Viktor E. Frankl
A shift from a reaction to a response is a change in perception, which means, it’s a miracle.
Join us in creating a month of miracles inside the Daily Dose of Healing.