Are You Steering Your Ship, or Is It Steering You?
The other day, someone asked me: “Rabbi, am I more reactive or proactive?” A simple question, yet it sparked a profound reflection on the nature of our choices and the way we navigate the journey of life.
You see, most of us operate in a primarily reactive mode. We start as children, instinctively mirroring our parents’ expressions and adapting to their approval or disapproval. This reactivity continues as we grow, influenced by peers, societal expectations, and the innate desire to fit in. Fear, especially for those who’ve experienced insecurity, can further entrench us in this reactive state. Proactivity, with its inherent risks of failure and disapproval, feels daunting.
The Comfort Zone of Reactivity
Consider your own day: How often do you react to external demands – at work, in relationships, even in seemingly mundane routines? We respond to emails, fulfill obligations, and address the needs of others. While this is part of the social fabric, it often overshadows our proactive potential.
This tendency toward reactivity isn’t inherently negative. When a crisis arises, a swift, appropriate reaction is essential. But consistently living in this mode can stifle our personal growth and obscure the unique gifts we have to offer the world.
The Power of Proactive Living
Think of the innovators, the artists, the leaders who have shaped our world. They didn’t merely react; they were driven by an inner fire, a proactive force that propelled them to challenge norms, embrace risks, and bring forth something new.
This isn’t to say we all need to become Steve Jobs, revolutionizing industries. But we can all cultivate a more proactive approach to our own lives. It begins with:
- Awareness: Recognize the patterns of reactivity in your own life. Where are you holding back? What fears are holding you captive?
- Baby Steps: Begin with small, intentional acts of proactivity. Send that email, pursue a neglected passion, initiate a gathering. Exercise your “proactive muscle” daily.
- Unearthing Your Talents: What are you passionate about? What brings you joy? Carve out time to engage with these aspects of yourself, not as a reaction to external pressures, but as an expression of your authentic self.
- Intentional Living: Even routine activities can become proactive with a shift in perspective. Approach your day with intention, finding meaning and purpose in even the smallest of actions.
From Reaction to Creation
This journey is about so much more than checking things off a to-do list. It’s about connecting with your soul, that inner spark that yearns to create, to contribute, to leave its unique mark on the world.
Remember the story of Michelangelo and his breathtaking sculptures? When asked how he created such masterpieces, he simply said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
Like Michelangelo, we each hold a masterpiece within us. It’s time to pick up our tools, to chip away at the fear and reactivity that keep us from fully expressing our potential. It’s time to stop being passengers on the ship of life and take hold of the helm, steering ourselves towards a life of purpose, meaning, and soulful creation.
Let us inspire and encourage one another on this journey. Seek out like-minded souls, those who will champion your growth and remind you of the incredible power that lies dormant within.
Be blessed and be well,
Simon Jacobson
MeaningfulLife.com
Watch Rabbi Jacobson delve deeper into this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Do8W8ACGK4
