Sometimes we don’t feel we have a choice.
Do you have an old behavior that is more REACTION than RESPONSE?
You know, that thing that TRIGGERS you to do, say or be something that isn’t you anymore but you just can’t seem to stop doing, saying or being it.
Here is a simple, but powerful offering to move from reaction to response. I call it STOP, DROP and ROLL. Yes, this is the fire safety technique you were taught to use when you are literally on fire, and as most of you know, when we are in reaction that is set off by a trigger, we may as well be on fire because any aspiration for change in our life has just gone up in flames. Again.
With three breaths you can be empowered to change.
Each breath is deep and slow on the IN and the OUT. When you feel you’re triggered and about to do that thing you do…
STOP! Literally. If it feels a little jarring you’re doing good. It’s meant to interrupt your reaction. Let it catch your attention and then immediately take the FIRST breath. Let every muscle in your body go soft – head to toe. If you feel you have no more air to release, go one second further.
DROP. On the SECOND breath you are going in, dropping down into your inner knowing, connecting back into who you are now.
ROLL. On this THIRD breath you are rolling open to new possibility, the different choices available to you in this moment. You are in a new state of mind where you can RESPOND in a way that supports who and how you want to be.
Sure, you may look silly stopping in your tracks on the sidewalk, but put your phone to ear and no one will be the wiser. Or, if you are mid conversation and triggered to argue, give away your power or eject, simply excuse yourself to the bathroom. Or, as you are inspired to be creative and are about to check Facebook instead, STOP, DROP and ROLL.
Small actions that we weave into our daily life have a role to play in the big changes we desire.