Have You Noticed?

Noticing your reactions is the passport to a different future. Find out more in this mini podcast.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Have You Noticed?

We’re all creatures of habit — especially when it comes to how we react. But here’s something worth asking: have you noticed your reactions?

Years ago, The Grasshopper offered this simple observation: “Notice your reactions and you’ll notice your patterns.”

It sounds almost too easy, but the practice does take a bit of rehearsing.

A surefire way to outgrow a reaction is to catch it just before it happens — or while it’s happening. That moment matters. It’s a choice point. You’re either watching your usual response rev up its engine, or you’re seeing it play out right in front of you.

Either way, something opens up. You're given a chance to respond differently — not automatically, not predictably, and not quite so limiting.

Because we all react in patterned ways.

Imagine this scenario. A friend comes to you with a problem and asks, “What would you do if you were me?”

Notice how fast your answer arrives. It’s usually neat and confident. It might even sound insightful. But useful or not, it’s almost certainly reactive. It’s coming straight from your personal playbook.

Those patterns have delivered a certain mix of wins and losses in your life. And unless the patterns change, the results won’t either. Same reactions, same percentages.

That’s why noticing matters.

When you begin to notice your reactions, you begin to see the patterns underneath them — and that’s when growth becomes possible.

So what’s your reaction when someone from the political party you don’t support launches into one of their familiar, well-worn talking points? What about a commercial enthusiastically promoting a product you know is absolute garbage?

What happens in you?

I’ve just named a couple of my own reactions. I’ve got plenty more — hundreds, probably thousands.

Which leads to an uncomfortable but revealing question: Do I own my reactions . . . or do they own me?

If I’m being honest notice, they own me — right up until the moment I notice them.

Do you want to be defined by a reaction? Because if reactions run unchecked, they're already defining you.

So here’s the real fork in the road question: Do you want to be the stimulus, or do you want to be the reaction?

If you’re content being the reaction, there’s nothing you need to do. Everything will stay exactly the same.

But if you want to be the stimulus — the one with some say in the matter — then noticing becomes essential. You have to catch yourself reacting.

A third element is essential to outgrow our reactions. We currently only use two: Stimulus and Reaction. Our whole life is on a predictable track until we notice. Noticing is the third element. It’s the switch that puts us on a new track.

You can go on defending your reactions. Or you can notice and interrupt them, and find out — first hand — whether they’re worth defending at all.

You could even put it this way: Notice your prejudices and you’ll notice your patterns.

After all, a prejudice is simply a conditioned reaction.

In the end, it comes down to choice. You either want to grow, or you don’t.

And if you do want to grow, start by noticing the reactions that keep your emotions simmering. That’s the first step in cooking up something new.

All the best,

John