(The following is abridged and adapted and modified from Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change”)
Between stimulus and response, human beings have the freedom to choose—but only *if* we develop and exercise the four uniquely human endowments that make the freedom to choose possible. And these four uniquely human endowments are:
A reminder of how my reactivity destroys me, and how my proactivity employs me.
Hello Pink, Thank you for the reblog. And well-put–reactivity does usually does not serve us well, and proactivity–especially thinking critically and discerningly and leading a very examined and thought-filled life based on sound moral principles–usually serves us and other well. (Although at first, when the world is not ready to hear it, it usually meets with a fairly strong [and sometimes even violent] amount of opposition.)
Warmest regards, and thank you again for the reblog!
John
This week, your principles resonated with me strongly enough to bounce back from some fairly adverse reactions to my headscarf. Including, being body checked by a stranger, to even strong frowns from a girl at the gym. Yesterday though, I found it very difficult as a snooty look of indignant judgment cast a hole in my armor. It’s like I need to remind myself that my principle is to be true to myself, in light of what others try to darken around me.
Thank you for your timely reminder. It is a true gift you have to help light the candles that we have snuffed inside of us.
Pink.
Hello Pink,
Thank you for the lovely comment and kind words.
After I read your comment, I recalled the story of Balpreet Kaur, that went viral a few months ago. Here’s a link to the story — http://www.dailydot.com/society/reddit-balpreet-kaur-sikh-woman-beard/
I look at her response to what happened as epitomizing how to deal with criticism and judgmentalness with grace and dignity. Her response is something very beautiful to behold.
Thank you again for the kind words and comment, Pink. And I’m glad my post has resonated with you and help empower and encourage you. Warmest regards,
John
Thank you so much. I wish it were as ‘simple’ as everyone siding with me, unfortunately though, there are many in this town who present hostility towards Muslims who wear the headscarf, case in point http://t.co/y9FbFSx4, and well, I have experienced this myself. Being called a terrorist, publicly humiliated, blamed for 911, cursed at, sworn at. The levels of anger, the glares, stares, every single day. Being treated like I’m a ticking time bomb, oppressed, unintelligent, backwards, not credible, unworthy. We all have our struggles I guess. For me, it’s more of the HATE that gets thrown at me. It’s sooo tiring.. hard to keep breathing sometimes…
brilliant ——————— great reblog …………………..
i so agree ……xxxx
four endowments: love, love, love, love…lovely… I miss your écriture! Your so kind hand writing, and painting!…in despite of all…in despite of an unkind world. Just alive in…keep on going…the love road…always true…always kind…keep on going in despite of an unkind world, in despite the dangers at streets…and inside our hearts: the danger of do not perceive the love bond. Love bounds…from woundaries (remember?) to lovely boundaries. An endless open love. So lovely near friend.!
Recently, Medusa made my heart nearly break with her disapproving judgment. Your kind words broke that spell and I feel so much better. Thank you for reminding me of what I am blessed with. Supportive friends like yourself! hahah.. Woundaries.. thank youuuu!! Dearest soul, friend!
Awesome – its also beautiful how this concept fits into the life and teachings of the nabbi (pbuh). JazakAllah khair for sharing this.
Absolutely! It really reminds me of the principles of how to be more kind and gentle. Alhumdulillah.