Today's Thought - February

[bluidkiti]

February 16

A man does not seek to see himself in running water, but in still water. For only what is itself still can impart stillness to others.

~Zhuang Zhou

Our own reactivity has often escalated a problem rather than helped to resolve it. But we can learn to be less reactive. All of us have a range of responses. At our worst we may lash out in abusive anger. At our best we try to be tolerant and understanding. When we are exhausted or depleted in other ways, we are more prone to react from our worst self. And our harsh reaction only makes a crisis worse.

We can change our pattern of reactivity and give our best response by developing an inner calm. Then we always have access to our better self, and we are less prone to take things personally. That doesn’t mean we are always placid or passive, because sometimes our best self needs to rise up and say no! When we are calm, we can respond most effectively, either with open tolerance or with a “no” if it is called for.

Today, I will maintain an inner calm as I deal with the issues that arise.

Today's reading is from the book Stepping Stones, More Daily Meditations for Men