With self-awareness training, we can become aware of these automatic reactions that rule our lives and learn to put conscious effort into deciding for ourselves before we act. While technically a reaction, responding considers the desired outcome of the interaction. A reply may result in a positive or negative outcome, whereas a response is engineered to produce a positive or negative effect.

The reaction is an emotional, subconscious decision made without consideration for the consequences, usually in haste.  

The response is the conscious effort to take a step back (breath), review the situation (become aware and present), figure out the probable cause, and consider the available solutions.

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