CONSCIOUS RESPONSIVENESS

Let's chat about a term I call 'conscious responsiveness'. It's a concept every mother strives for ... they just mightn't have the words for it. Lack of conscious responsiveness is also a significant contributor to the feelings of guilt, frustration, resentment and hopelessness that ravage women.

Conscious is defined as 'having knowledge of something' or 'being aware of and responding to one's surroundings'. In terms of relationships, this definition implies that to be conscious, we are required to have knowledge of, or be aware of the other person. Let's take that further by asking 'consciously aware of what exactly?' Examples might include the other person's:

- feelings

- thoughts

- experiences

- hopes

- expectations

- fears and so on.

Responsiveness can be defined as 'the quality of reacting quickly and positively'. And positively is what moves 'reaction' such as anger, judgment or carelessness (to name a few) to 'responsiveness'.

Let's put conscious responsiveness together, because if you're reading this, I know you're committed to living better, to living with purpose and to living with connection. Sadly, you, me and a WHOLE lot of others have created lives where we too easily fall into 'reactive' states as opposed to states of 'conscious responsiveness'. We try - oh do we try - but life can be so layered, challenging and time-poor, that reactivity is our go-to response with others much more than we'd desire.

As I move toward my fifth decade of playing this game of life, and third of being 'mum' and 'educator', I've found one step that promotes conscious responsiveness, regardless of what life throws at you.

Before I tell you, I must warn - it might not be what you want to hear. That's because conscious responsiveness is an inside job. Yep - it can only happen when we turn inward, when we check in on the 'stuff' that's influencing our reactions, the 'stuff' that's triggering our responses and the 'stuff' that has us conjuring answers and emotions before the person's finished speaking. Heck, sometimes our responses are so automated, we're unconsciously responding just by SEEING someone! Can you relate? Your child, partner, colleague, fill-in-the-blank-person, walks in, immediately, your physiology has changed and your mind has conjured a whole back-story ... without this person having said a word! Pay attention to this happening today ;-)

The steps to discover your 'stuff' are plentiful. And needed ongoingly.

But I promise you this: every piece of hidden shadow, hurt, or childhood wound you learn to heal, moves you further from 'reaction' and closer to conscious responsiveness to others. And that's what the world needs now more than ever. Relationships, interactions and considerations that foster responsiveness to the hurts, hopes, fears and dreams of others.

Good luck on your continued inner work. And if you need support, book an EMPOWERED Coaching Conversation with me today by clicking HERE.

Sincerely

Catherine