Thoughts on Thinking
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
― Albert Einstein
How many people have you met that want to do something good for the world and don’t know where to start? We ignore the most obvious place imaginable, our thoughts. For me it was a breakthrough to realize that I honestly did not think that world peace was even possible, and that idea was shaping my view of humanity’s future. Why limit Love and beauty? With the miracle of a changed mind, I started to think not only of it being possible, but even inevitable. We can do whatever we set our minds to, as long as we have the courage to face our fragile fears, and not just blindly accept thoughts and beliefs.
“Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”
― Voltaire, Traité sur la tolérance, à l'occasion de la mort de Jean Calas
One of the surest signs of compassion and strength is when someone is secure enough in who they are and what they think that they allow other people around them to do the same. The teachers in my life who have helped me the most have shown me how to think, and not what to. The day that I understood it was not my job to make up someone else’s mind for them, a huge weight of unrealistic expectation was lifted off of me, and the life-giving freedom that has replaced it is wonderful.
“Half the time you think you’re thinking you’re actually listening” ― Terence McKenna
What are thoughts? Where do they come from? It helps me to consider that thoughts can come not just from within my mind but from outside it as well. Are we capable of having God’s thoughts? Or is that what all thinking is anyway? Perhaps our brains are more like a radio receiver than a deep water well, and we should focus more on the receiving of ideas instead of thinking harder.
“The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing ― to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts.” ― John Keats
As we age, the need for flexibility supplants our demands for strength. It is just as important, if not moreso, to adapt that principle into our mental and spiritual bodies as well. It is not necessary for me to be weighed down by my own opinion of every idea or belief that I come across. There is more peace in trying to maintain a loving and open mind than having a made up one.
“He who thinks little errs much…” ― Leonardo da Vinci
What does it mean to make a mistake? Sometimes we might mislabel something as a mistake which is really a simple misunderstanding. Something that could have used more consideration or contemplation to deal with better, and with more clarity. The idea of making a mistake is less important than not allowing ourselves the time and space to figure out how we want to deal with our lives as best we can. The kindest and healthiest option is to let go of the stress of constantly avoiding a misstep, and embracing who we really are and what will bring us the most peace.