Acting and Reacting

In most encounters we can determine the kind of experience we are going to have by how we respond.

Today's topic I chose is talking about the difference between "reacting" and "acting" in our lives. To perfectly introduce what I am talking about, I will share a section of the very talk given that enlightened me on the subject.

"On a Saturday, my wife and I decided to take the children for a drive and to do some shopping. During the drive the children fell asleep, and not wanting to wake them, I volunteered to stay in the car while my wife ran into the store.

While waiting, I glanced at the car parked in front of me. It was full of children, and they were looking at me. My eyes caught the eyes of a small boy, six or seven years old. As our eyes met, he immediately stuck his tongue out at me.
My first reaction was to stick my tongue out at him. I thought, What have I done to deserve this? Fortunately, before I reacted, I remembered how important it was to act instead of react to the events around us. So I waved at the little boy. He stuck his tongue out at me again. I smiled and waved again. This time he waved back.
Soon he was joined in his enthusiastic waving by a little brother and sister. I responded by waving this way and that until my arm became tired. Then I rested it on the steering wheel and continued with every creative wave I could muster, all the time hoping their parents would quickly return or that my wife would soon come back. The parents finally did come, and as they pulled away, my newfound friends continued to wave for as long as I could see them."
-- "Our Actions Determine Our Character" **
Elder Wayne S. Peterson Of the Seventy

It is so interesting to look at how many times in our very own lives we react, and also take a look around you and see how the world is constantly "reacting" as well. Of course its not easy to simply brush off a negative comment or action, but isnt it interesting to see how we instantly "react" and take it so personal!? Don't think for ONCE that this is only with strangers, this especially can happen in our day to day contact with our very close loved ones as well. Of course it's not nice to have these things happen to us, but more times than not there is probably something more than meets the eye.

That person might have a family tragedy or arguement that is preocupied in their minds that they don't even realize how they are presenting themselves. That person might be feeling incredibly down on themselves for one reason or another, especially right now in this economic crisis, he could have just lost his job and is trying to figure out how he is going to provide for his family. You just NEVER know, and that is why it is up to each and every one of us to take the time and create a positive experience out of a negative one. To choose to "ACT" in a positive way instead of "REACT" to the negative way with a negative action.

I know, this all seems sooo good and easy, when in reality it really isn't at first. It takes time and effort, both of which need to be understood and where you need to be patient. Alot of times I believe that we are all surrounded in our own worlds that we rarely take time to step out of our world and REALLY observe whats going on around us. It's easier to "react" to those things that happen directly to us which is why we must be more aware of our surroundings if this "acting" will work properly. You can just start with one thing a day, just a small and simple thing, you will be rewarded with feeling better knowing that at least YOU did something good to counteract the bad. I have found a few scriptures in my studies and would like to share them:

Proverbs 3:27 says:

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."

Doctrine and Covenants 6:33 says:

"Fear not to do good, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap.."

All I would hope for from you reading this topic is to become more aware of your day to day actions and realize that in such a compressed world that its ok to step out of your comfort level and be that fish swimming upstream! Act instead of React! :D

**If you would like to read more on the above talk, here is the following link: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d0538d00422fe010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1