Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 32 seconds
You can’t always control the thoughts that enter your mind.
But you can choose the response that leaves your mouth.
Wisdom lives in the gap between the two.
I think we can all relate to today’s visual:
These are raw, emotional, and very human reactions.
This image highlights an important truth: that our first thoughts are often instinctive. They’re shaped by emotion, past experience, trauma and our immediate reaction to a situation.
But our response - what we choose to say or do next - is where wisdom and self-control come into play.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”
Holocaust survivor Frankl reminds us that while we may not control every situation or emotion, we do have the ability to pause and choose how we respond.
For someone to experience such suffering, yet recognise the value of how you respond to hardship should communicate just how much wisdom is in that time between situation and response.
That small space can change everything.
Our minds produce thousands of thoughts every day.
Some are helpful.
Some are irrational.
Some are emotional reactions that appear before we’ve had time to think clearly.
If you’ve ever thought something like “I can’t believe they did that!” - you are not alone. Those reactions are part of being human.
But maturity isn’t about eliminating those thoughts.
It’s about deciding what to do with them.
Here are three ways to practice responding wisely:
Pause before reacting
A moment of silence can prevent a moment of regret.
Taking a breath before responding creates the space where better choices can emerge.
Separate your thoughts from your actions
Just because you think something doesn’t mean you have to say it.
Wisdom often involves filtering what comes out of your mouth.
Choose curiosity over confrontation
Responding with curiosity can transform conflict into conversation.
“Tell me more about that” or “Help me understand your perspective” will take your relationships to the next level.
Your first thought may be automatic.
Your response can still be intentional.
And often, that response is what defines the outcome of the conversation.
Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:
When was the last time I reacted quickly and later wished I had paused first?
What helps me create space between what I think and what I say?
How might my relationships change if I responded with curiosity more often?
Today’s resource is another book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.
In this powerful book, Frankl reflects on his experiences during the Holocaust and explores the idea that even in the most difficult circumstances, humans retain the ability to choose their response.
His work remains one of the most profound explorations of meaning, resilience, and personal responsibility.
Consider purchasing it from your friendly local bookstore. Alternatively, here’s where you can find it online:
⭐️ Rate This Week's Newsletter!
If you have any feedback on the WISER Newsletter, I would love to hear it! Simply reply to this email, and I will get back to you. Alternatively, just DM me on social media.
Catch you in the next issue!
Thanks,
Michael