A friend really liked this quote and shared it with me (and I really liked it too):
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl Man’s Search for Meaning
It really made me think and reflect further. It may have touched on some thoughts I have been sorting out lately. I have been taking some time and space to reflect about what I pay attention to… what I respond to…. how I choose to respond, and for what purpose.
The pace of our lives can seem to make that “space” seem smaller… or maybe even a hindrance. Information is so easily available and accessible. We can now be aware of so many “trends”, ideas and issues. Technology and social media have provided us with new and efficient ways to communicate, respond, react, to be impacted… but how well do we use and take that space in between stimulus and response? Has that space changed? How does it affect our choice of response.. if we do choose to respond? How do we ensure our response leads to growth… to freedom… our own and others? Should it? Are there other purposes?
A jumble of thoughts, if not an overthinking of a quote, but I thought I would process and share to my blog… which I have taken some space from lately…
I welcome any thoughts about how this quote resonates with you.
SheilaSpeaking 
Jul 18, 2014 @ 22:14:09
It’s a fantastic quote, thanks for sharing. It fits with how I view things – we have lines, strands, vibrations, streams….of information coming into us, and we choose and notice which ones fit with each other. We are nodes that knit and weave. We create.
Jul 18, 2014 @ 22:52:29
Thanks, Glen… that adds a good dimension to the quote too!
Jul 19, 2014 @ 06:32:04
Hi Sheila,
My first inclination was to pen an immediate response! How ironic!
I’m going to take this quote with me as I intentionally venture out over the next few days to take advantage of a “space” that has been created for me.
My thinking, as I wake up this morning, is that social media and the current speed of communication encourages us to respond immediately to many things. But when we do, we are usually responding from our current way of thinking, from our current perspectives, our current biases, passions and interests.
I’m thinking that taking time, and living more fully in that space between stimulus and response is a disposition—a habit of mind—that could allow us to listen more attentively to our own thoughts and the ideas of others.
More thinking to come…thanks for this!
Jul 19, 2014 @ 23:41:55
I appreciate that you responded so quickly, Stephen 🙂 … thank you for your thoughts. I look forward to hearing more about the space you are working with… and further thinking from it!
Jul 19, 2014 @ 08:08:52
This quote does seem to be one that lends itself to much thought. Interesting to put it into the context of social media. It seems that the world has become a place where people increasingly feel the need to share their thoughts and have their voices heard. In that respect, I have come to believe that less is more. We do not necessarily need to outwardly ‘respond’ to all that stimulates. It is sometimes enough to ponder things quietly. But when we do feel that a ‘response’ is warranted, it is wise to choose our words carefully and in a way that does no harm. Words are a powerful tool and , once shared, are impossible to take back.
Thanks for sharing , Sheila.
Jul 19, 2014 @ 23:54:58
Thank you for sending the quote my way, Denise. I thought we might agree about the lending of much thought. I always appreciate your responses (online or in person)… I know there is good pondering behind them 🙂
Jul 22, 2014 @ 18:44:09
I really enjoyed this post… I think we are in a similar head space :-). What came to mind as I read your quote, was the Rumi quote, “Beyond our ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing, there is a field – I will meet you there.” I’m not sure why it did, but I suspect it is because I am of the belief that while social media has incredibly positive aspects to it, I often get the feeling that people don’t really take the time to think, they just mindlessly post, retweet, etc. It has also allowed people to create imagines – some good, some not, some real, some not. And I guess I find myself wondering what do I want to contribute, and, perhaps, even more personally, what do I want to listen to, who do I want to follow, and most of all – why.
Jul 22, 2014 @ 22:43:23
I didn’t know about that quote… I really like it! Thanks for adding it! Yes, I think we are reflecting on similar considerations, Catherine. I suspect the ‘why’ of using social media can change over time for many individuals. It may have for me. Still sorting it out… I may need to sit in a field 🙂
Jul 25, 2014 @ 05:01:44
Mar 26, 2015 @ 14:10:12
Nov 18, 2021 @ 10:25:01