Reason for the Reaction

“I can’t drive down that road anymore, because it reminds of the accident I had there.  I can’t go to the local bar anymore, because it reminds me of my ex.”  Often, our reactions to events are driven by past events.  Some reactions are good and some are well not so good.  In my head, they are just triggers, and I am the one that determines how I react. Being able to recognize them for what they are helps me adjust my reaction.  Reacting the same way to the situations allows my past to be in control, which is no bueno.  We cannot completely block out the past, but we can learn to recognize the triggers and work with them to our advantage.  I wrote the follow quote four years ago and still return to it often.

“When your past controls your present, what does that say about your future?”

The present is so much more fun that the past.  After all, we know how the events of the past play out, as we already lived them.  Concentrate on the now and remember, “It’s easy to change your reaction when you know the reason.”