Before reacting in words or actions, take a pause and ensure your reaction is in line with your values and goals.
Often we speak or act reactively without taking a moment to pause and check in to question whether our response to a triggering situation is justified, necessary, valid, or helpful. If we practice pausing before reacting, we may find that we experience a clear distinction about the right word or action in a given situation and may re-evaluate how we respond. We may choose to react in a way that is helpful to ourselves and moves us in the direction of what we want for ourselves and our lives. We do not need to react the first way that our mind chooses for us. With the pause, we will find that we have far more helpful options available to us.