We will either react or respond to a situation. We can determine which one we will do. Responding is positive. Reacting is negative.

Situation: You come home from shopping, the kids didn’t get all their chores done and the house is in disarray. What will you choose to do? React or Respond?

React  — To react is like when we have a bad reaction to some medicine; to react to a situation is when we have a negative reaction that’s not good or helpful i.e. “You should have cleaned the dishes, I told you to do them. Don’t you know that I’m busy!”

Respond — To respond is like when we take medicine that works as it should, and it is works well.  A good response is helpful i.e. “That is what you got done while I was gone. What can we do to finish the rest?”

Illustration — From my friend, Fran Gist.