I think reacting is what you do when you're not being present -- the habitual behavior that arises out of old decisions and old pain running the show. You're not really free to make a choice when you're reacting.
And responding comes with being present -- that is, evaluating your current moment, and answering it. You can still be informed by your past, but in responding you are making a free choice. You don't have to be using your thinking mind to respond; as Steve describes in a dance or martial art (or response to fear or lovemaking) your body can do the responding.
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