I LOST MY COOL......STIMULUS - RESPONSE : The Freedom To Choose







One of my coaching clients is among the most well meaning, empathetic leaders you can find. He is both liked and respected – a rare combination, as you know.

But one day, in a vulnerable moment he was unduly sharp and responded insensitively. And now, months later, the impact of that one action is still reverberating!

As I listened in, I was struck by the parallels in my life – the times when I had responded, nay reacted, all to quickly and the resulting negative consequences.

As I take baby steps towards increased mindfulness, Victor Frankl’s immortal line comes up – “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.”

As the two nuclear countries in the sub-continent get ready to celebrate another Independence day, maybe it is just that ‘space’ – that allows us to choose our response that is indeed the best measure of freedom. Not just for countries…but as individuals.


‘Antar Mouna’ (inner silence) and other meditative practices are aimed at expanding that space. I look forward to a deeper immersion for me (and my clients) in our quest for increased freedom!

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