Have you ever noticed what happens internally when someone says something you strongly disagree with? Next time it happens, take a moment to focus within before you speak.
Looking within, you may notice that you have already decided that you are right and they are wrong. Or that they need to hear what you have to say, because what you have to say is so important. You may feel physically upset, because we often make unconscious assumptions that can lead us to feeling attacked, unloved or unseen.
Stopping before speaking allows you to use the pause creatively. Simply noticing what’s happening, without feeding judgments of right and wrong, allows awareness to fill the space. Then, you can have freedom to respond with kindness.
You may also realize that you can honor the other person’s right to feel differently, because when we’re aware, it’s okay to be different.
