A response is that small space

between what hits you

and what you send back into the world.

Most times, we rush it.

We reply while still hot…

still hurt…

still shaking.

And the response carries all of that.

But sometimes, you breathe.

You sit with the words.

You let the feeling pass through instead of taking the wheel.

And what comes out sounds different,

cleaner, and

kinder.

Sharper, even.

Life throws things at us daily.

Criticism, silence, disrespect, praise.

None of those are fully in our control.

But the response?

That part is ours.

It can build bridges

or burn them.

Or quietly walk away without noise.

So when something presses your buttons,

do you answer immediately,

or do you give yourself the space

to choose who you want to be in that moment?