Response

Response. 

"Not everything requires a response." 

This is a hard one for me. I seem to have an opinion on just about everything, and even more so seem to think it needs to be said. However, sometimes under-reacting is the better way to go. 

Sometimes we respond too quickly without really giving any thought to what we are saying. Sometimes our response is hurtful or mean spirited, and can result in a rift that was not there before. Sometimes our response is out of defensiveness for our actions. 

I can't help but be reminded of a lyric from The Prayer of St. Francis, "...to be understood as to understand." Sometimes we spend so much time trying to get others to agree to our way of thinking that we completely lose sight of where the other person might be coming from. 

Although, we may not always agree I think it is important to take the time not to respond too hastily, but rather to put our initial energies into understanding. That way in crafting your response you might make a greater impact.