Thursday, January 17, 2013

WHAT DO YOU SAY ?


Once again I am sharing what I read for your views.

"At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear. With a panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach.
 Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky.
 The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but ...it landed on another lady in the group.
 Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama.
 The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt.
 When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.
  Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior?
 If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed?
 He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos.
 It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies.
 I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it's my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me.
 It's not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.
 More than the problem, it's my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.
 Lessons learnt from the story:
I understood I should not react in life. I should always respond.
The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded."

Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always well thought of, just and right to save a situation from going out of hand, to avoid cracks in relationship, to avoid taking decisions in anger, anxiety, stress or hurry.

Life is too short to be engrossed in hatred and enmity.  “Be nice and smile to everyone you meet. You don't know what they are going through, and they may need that smile. And treasure it.”

39 comments:

Rama Ananth said...

It is true, being calm is always better than being all agitated, it not only creates problems for others but it creates problems for us too.
That is why people are these days prone to high BP, heart attacks etc.
Ignoring things that are part and parcel of life is not the solution, but taking the right action at the right moment is the trick.
But do we have the patience and the time to implement them, of course no.

Unknown said...

Absolutely correct and very good analogy....though, I must confess that I hate cockroaches myself!! :D

Sakshi said...

true!

Ann said...

Very thoughtful uncle.. But i think.. this art of responding rather than reacting to a situations comes with experience and how a person is willing to change their life to better.. so, once more, I've learnt that we must respond, not react to be happy :)

Shilpa Garg said...

Profound observations from a simple incident. True, choosing whether we react or respond can have a dramatic effect on how our day, or life for that matter, unfolds!

Amrita said...

well thought of! it is very true...responses are what we need rather than reactions!

hamaarethoughts.com said...

its alright but to mind the restaurant was so filthy.. ..(It should be sued)
reacting and responding comes with experience and maturity ..my kids in US start crying over a small fly .. wht if they see a cockroach? which is hardly seen here or a lizard on wall ??
But these are creepy things anyone wud blow out :)
you were smiling because you have faced bigger situations .. in life .. its always with aGE :)

Bhagyashree said...

The situation looked funny upon reading but what you have said is true, it is our inability indeed :D

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! So true.

Shreya said...

Sounds funny, but I know its irritating.

Purba said...

Well said! Must of us choose to react rather than respond.

Gayu said...

I had posted the same article few days back in my blog. This is truly inspiring. Now whenever, I am about to react, I think of this story and try to focus on responding than reacting.

Thanks for reminding this again!
Regards,
Gayu

Amrita Tanmay said...

पूर्णत: आपसे सहमत हूँ.

Jack said...

RAMA :

Thanks a lot for giving such insight into what I tried to convey. One has to take life as it comes without reacting in panic. Take care


ROSHNI :

Thanks for such supportive view. Who likes cockroaches? Take care


SAKSHI :

Thanks for supourt. Take care


ANN :

One should start trying this as soon as one can. I am sure you will always find happiness. Take care


SHILPA :

Thanks for such supportive view with convincing language. Take care

Jack said...

AMRITA :

Your support makes me feel so happy. Take care


HARMAN :

I agree that any restaurant which has insects is filthy. However this was just to bring out difference between reaction and response. Take care


BHAGYASHREE :

At times funny situations convey such factual statements. Take care


TAYLA :

Welcome to my space. Hope to have your valuable views in future also. Take care

Jack said...

SHREYA :

Funny it may be but the message is so true. Take care


PURBA :

That is why so many relationships face difficulty. Take care


GAYU :

That is why you responded by saying what you said and not suing me as reaction. Ha ha. Take care


AMRITA :

AAPKE SAMARTHAN KAA BAHUT DHANYAAVAAD. Take care

Kshipra said...

That is a very important life lessin.

Most of the times we get our emotions involved. But not getting them involved is also a herculean task.
:)

Ellen said...

Hi Jack!

This time I will make an exception and won't simply cruise by. I'm stopping to tell you that I liked this post so much and the beautiful insight you have shared. You have read my thoughts on the subject and expressed it beautifully in your own inimitable writing style and wisdom.

Thanks for this pleasure. Blessings to you and your loved ones.

Jigyasa said...

Wow....I cam back to this space after a long time...but what a simple post with a great message!

You truly responded fantastically to the situation Uncle J. B'ful observation:)

Jack said...

KSHIPRA :

I know it is difficult but it is not impossible. Take care


ELLEN :

Thanks for such supporting view. I am so happy to see you here. Take care


JIGYASA :

I am so glad to see you here. Thanks for such supportive views. Take care

Raj said...

inertia. anything that succesfully changes it is called a force.
anything that doesnt is probably just effort.

so the question in the end is, how do you balance the counter force so its merely an effort?

be a wall i say.

Jyoti Mishra said...

Smiles :)

Sabi Sunshine said...

I have to laugh but it is so true :) your posts are always interesting to read and make me think

Jack said...

RAJ :

Very appropriate simile. Thanks for valuable views. Take care


JYOTI :

Thanks for appreciation. Take care


SABI :

It is funny but has a good lesson too. Thanks for your such appreciative views. Take care

Zeba said...

So true..

The Gardener said...

Dear Sir, I liked your post very much. The difference between 'reacting' and responding' is a real insight.

I am a retired banker-turned-full time gardener. I read your comments on Bubblegum's posts and like them very much.
The Gardener

The Gardener said...

I liked your post very much. The difference between 'reacting' and 'responding' is really an insight.

I am a retired banker-cum-full time gardener. I regularly read your comments on Bubblegum's posts and like them very much.

Jack said...

ZEBA :

Welcome to my space. Thanks for such supportive view. Hope to have your valuable views in future also. I will visit you a s a p. Take care


THE GARDENER :

It is my pleasure to have you here. Kindly do give your valuable views in future also. She is very well balanced girl and writes well deserving praise. I will visit you a s a p. Take care

veera said...

beautifully written,excellent SIR,.. you are such a highly talented person indeed you are BLESSED with some amazing writing skills.,

Jack said...

S L :

Welcome to my space. I am at loss of words to say anything about such praise showered. Hope to have your valuable views on my humble efforts.

Take care

veera said...

thanks for replying. You are blog is really excellent. You are a GENIUS. be happy keep smiling.

Arooj said...

it gives positive insights.
you know Uncle ,i alwayd in a great need.

Jack said...

S L :

I make it a point to reply to everyone who takes time to give views on my writings. Thanks a lot for your support which will make me strive to make my posts more meaningful. Please do let me know of your url so I can visit your space too. Take care


AROOJ :

We do need to keep positive attitude which at times is very difficult but we need to try. Do share what you are facing and let me see if I can be of any support to you. Take care

veera said...

thank you sir,. my url: poemjosh.blogspot.in

Saro said...

what a fantastic story! I totally agree. Just never realized that I was ground zero!

Jack said...

S L :

Thanks, I will visit you soon. Take care


SARO :

I am so glad that you found it good. Why do you say that you were ground zero? Take care

vinny said...

Wonderful story to explain the importance of response as opposed to reaction!

Jack said...

OLDFOX :

Thanks for such supportive view. Yes, one needs to respond to a situation and not just react. Take care

Jack said...

DR PURUSHOTHAMAN :

Welcome to my space. Sorry for late reply as I have not been keeping well. I will visit you as soon as I can. Take care