Responding Actively

Each day, we are presented with a myriad of choices as to how we interact with the people and events around us. Some of us choose to actively control our lives. Others simply allow life to happen to them.

When we react passively to external forces, we are surrendering the one thing that truly belongs to all of us - the power to control our own lives. These 'reactors", if you will, are often at the mercy of any given person or situation. Because they only react to what life throws at them, they are often dodging bullets, fire-fighting and treading water desperately just to stay afloat. They do not live their lives with passionate intent. They are merely getting by each day. They do not anticipate outcomes, fail to plan, don't learn from their mistakes, and are so condemned to lead mediocre, often unhappy lives.

A reactionary person typically lives his life with a listless attitude - he has a habit of procrastinating and then scrambling to meet the deadline at the eleventh hour. He puts in minimum effort at work, seeing it as "just a job", doesn't like learning new things, and doesn't care what's happening around the world. He doesn't plan his schedule, forgets important tasks, and is usually sick at the thought of helping others at his own inconvenience. He is haunted by worry, because he feels he has no control over what happens to him. He often finds himself in uncomfortable or compromising situations because he never learns from his mistakes, choosing instead of blame other people or events. His favourite motto is "That's life... these things happen... I can't help it...", and so conveniently absolves himself of any responsibility of improving his life.

However, when we choose to response actively to life, we accept responsibility for what happens to us. We are intensely keen on learning whatever we can, in whatever situation. We analyse circumstances, learn from our mistakes and plan how we can do better next time. We anticipate outcomes and make necessary preparations. We're always on the lookout for ways to improve our lives or lives of our loved ones.

This shift in attitude towards active response empowers us with choice and purpose. Because we take charge of our lives, we know how we can make things better. No time is spent brooding, lamenting and regretting. We can always see a better future on the horizon.

Everyday we are presented with choices - whether we react passively or respond actively determines whether we live lives of great fear and mediocrity or lives of great job and success.

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Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd