My Space

"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 freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl

I first read the concept of this quote two years ago, in regard to how I think and move (the Alexander Technique). Over time, I begin to understand more and more how crucial this truth is to everything I do and everything I am. And now I need to master it more than ever. I'm seeing my space diminishing, getting squashed.

No doubt this has become a famous quote, used by many experts in teaching to embrace conflicts, choose decisions, overcome adversities. This quote was made popular again by Dr. Covey in recent years. He said this single quote had changed his whole life.

We're all creatures of habits. We sleepwalk our lives treading on familiar paths. Reacting to how we've responded in the past. Cruising with less consciousness simply because it "feels right". Making familiar decisions and inevitably arriving at the same destination. Same consequences, same results. Same destiny. Histories repeating themselves over and over again.

What DIRECTION?


Yes, back to the title of my blog. So far, I've hardly begun to write what I intended to write when I started this blog.

I'm a seeker, finding my directions and truths. Truths.

11 months ago, I experienced this space and zone when I was all alone in the dark (with just a small head lamp), in a certain mountain in Kota Kinabalu. Using the Alexander Technique (credits to Roy Palmer, an English AT teacher and author who provided some personal advice to me), I was able to scale great heights quite effortlessly. The feelings of being in the 'zone' is indescribable. Totally aware of my breathing and movement, aware of the ground supporting and pushing me upwards with my every step (Newton's Law), not hindered by gravity, not bothered by the distance to the destination, not held back by disappointment of losing my handphone just hours before the final ascend, and not limited by time. I don't know but I really felt as if time was still, a non-existing factor. And it was like my brain was awakened after a very very long time. And this verse popped up: "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path"....

It's impossible to convey in words. That brief but valuable journey's lesson will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I've learnt to use this space to overcome some small adversities but I need it more. More than ever before.