Thoughts About Thoughts

Have you ever thought about your thoughts?

I mean truly, this is a very important question. Because our thoughts are a huge part of what makes us who we are. Think about it. Positive thoughts create positive feelings and positive actions. Negative thoughts create negative feelings and actions [as well as self justification, which creates a downward spiral of negativity, but we won't even go there].

To realize that we are in charge of our thoughts is a huge step to becoming better people.

Have you ever sat down and thought to yourself something like, "Hmmmm. What should I think about?" It's a strange question, I know, but it's also quite intriguing. There are so many possibilities. Our thoughts have no restraints. Man this is deep stuff I've been thinking about lately. Sometimes I get lost in my thoughts about thoughts.

Yesterday, John and I went out in nature on an awesome bike ride, in a mountainous area, next to a beautiful river. The plan was we'd go on our bike ride, have a picnic, and afterwards John would find a place to fish. Meanwhile, I would get a nice tan while reading. Unfortunately, I am me, and I forgot to bring my book. I also forgot to bring my camping chair.

After our ride, I found an uncomfortable hot rock, and for a while I was happy to observe John as he fished [he caught two rainbow trout [or is it trouts?]]! But then I started getting bored. And hot. And the stupid flies just wouldn't leave me alone. So I went back to the car and as I was sitting their I realized I didn't want to let boredom get the best of me.

So I tried the normal things a person of my age would do. I checked my phone: no service. I checked John's phone: no 3G, no service. And then I looked out at nature and realized I didn't need a phone! I had my thoughts to entertain me. So I asked myself the question, "What should I think about?" And the strangest thing happened! I started thinking deeply, and it was so much fun. And quite helpful too.

One of the dangers of this technology filled world is that we don't have as much time to sit and think. Back when computers, cell phones, internet, and tv didn't exist, people thought about things on a more regular basis. Life was so much more simple back then. But now it's like a gadget free life creates this silence that makes us uncomfortable. It's been happening to me. It's like I have to be doing something all the time. But now I realize, it's good sometimes to just do nothing but think.

So I'm making a goal to tone down my technology. Less facebook, less wandering all over the web reading blogs that have nothing to do with anything. Less live streaming Netflix.

More meaningful thinking, which will hopefully lead to a more meaningful life.