Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
When I teach my version of mindfulness to first responders, I stress that mindfulness provides an additional second for them to make the best decision possible.
- One second can be a lifetime to a Police Officer!
- One second may not sound like a lot, but it can be the difference between simply responding to a stimulus and responding thoughtfully.
- It’s the difference between acting out of anger and/or fear and responding judicially. It’s a one-second opportunity to use your mind and your emotions to positively affect yourself and others.
- One second can be the difference between achieving a positive or negative outcome.
Lately, I have found myself pondering on how we can increase the length and/or quality of the that one second. I am convinced that if we can teach Police Officers to be aware of the “choice” to make a thoughtful/informed decision, to make the most of that opportunity, and to continue to work on lengthening and improving the quality of that one second, they will benefit as a profession and a society.