What do I want in my Hula Hoop?

When people say or do things that affect me—even when I’m directly involved—their words and actions do not automatically belong inside my hula hoop.

I get to choose what I do with them.

I can recognize how their actions—or lack of action—make me feel. I can pause instead of reacting. Then I can consciously choose whether to respond, what that response should be, or whether to do nothing at all.

Reacting automatically pulls their behavior squarely into my hula hoop. Pausing allows me to leave it where it belongs: in theirs.

Some things are so upsetting, unhealthy, or unnecessary that they don’t deserve space inside my hula hoop—and they may not deserve a response from me either.

That was a great epiphany for me today.

ILML! ❤️