Hi, how you've been?
For those of you who’ve been here for a while, you know I’m always on the lookout for simple little tips we can integrate into our days that help us live better, feel better, and make continual progress.
I’ve got a good one for you today…
Did you hear about this story that’s been all over the news about Brandi Levy?
Brandi was a high school cheerleader. She got really upset after tryouts because she didn’t make the varsity team. She went on Snapchat, posted a picture of herself sticking up her middle finger, and included a big profane caption.
“F— school, f—-softball, f— cheer, f—everything.”
Of course nothing you put on Snapchat is a secret. Her school comes across the post and kicks her off the cheerleading squad for an entire year.
Brandi sues her school district because she said they breached her First Amendment right to free speech.
There was a big debate in the news and all over social media about one question:
Does Brandi have the constitutional right to vent on Snapchat without any repercussions from her school?
What do you think?
If you’re a “yes” on this question, the Supreme Court agrees with you. They decided that Brandi’s profane Snapchat posts were protected free speech and the school couldn’t suspend her for comments she made on social media.
I get it and can see why the Supreme Court protected her freedom of speech.
BUT…Don’t you agree that it’s important to be thoughtful about what we put out there on social media? We’ve all heard those stories about people who wished they’d been more thoughtful because their old posts have come back to haunt them.
What we say, how we react to situations, and what we post matters (even if it is legally protected free speech). That’s why one of the best things we can start doing today is use the “Golden Pause” or the Time Gap. It saves us from responding in an emotionally overcharged way. It would’ve saved Brandi too!
What's the Time Gap?
The Time Gap is that 3 seconds of time we have before we need to respond, say or do anything. You pause, get grounded, and then choose to respond with your highest and best response.
When we use the Time Gap, we’re able to react to anything that happens around us in a much better way.
It’s like that great little piece of wisdom from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, “The Four Agreements” reminds us…
“You can use your words to create good in your life or you can use them to create chaos and backlash.”
Think of those times when you respond in the best way. You don’t get all worked up or stressed out. You don’t let situations steal your inner peace. It’s not that we don’t need to share what’s on our mind, but there’s a way to do it.
We can get into the habit of doing this regularly by practicing and integrating the Time Gap into our days. And, there are so many benefits for us personally.
Check out this short video about the Time Gap. Also, the quick summary of how to integrate it into your day is below in the “Practice of the Day.” Let me know how it goes.
With you on the journey,
Sibyl