The Reactor and the Observer

The Reactor and the Observer are two inhabitants of my inner self that are key to my recovery.  I have to remember who they are so I can hang out with the right one. 

I have two choices when responding to stimuli. I can observe, or I can react. 

Dictionary.com defines “reaction” this way:

1. An action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or event: “Carrie’s immediate reaction was one of relief.”

2. A person’s ability to respond physically and mentally to external stimuli.[1]  

So who is the Reactor?

The Reactor is someone who responds to a situation or event without thinking first. 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “observe” as:

1. To see or sense especially through careful attention, 2. to come to realize especially through consideration of noted facts.[2] 

So who is the Observer?

The Observer is someone who takes time to carefully assess a situation so that their response will be better informed and more appropriate for all involved. 

It is preferable to be in the position of Observer rather than Reactor.  The Reactor responds more immediately to stimulus without taking the time to think, whereas the Observer takes a time-out and makes a more careful choice.

It has been one of my goals to become an Observer instead of a Reactor.  I’m getting there, a little bit at a time.

[1] Definitions from Dictionary.com. Accessed on February 17, 2002.

[2] Merriam-Webster, Inc., The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Boston, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1977), p. 632.