I'm always certain that my thoughts are on track and
correct, except when I stop to think about my thoughts. Then, I realize I
might, possibly, perhaps, have a bias or two or, at the very least, an untested
expectation that affects what I'm thinking. Often I think that she or he or they think that I
should think one thing or another, but I've never asked her, him, or them so maybe they don't
think that at all but something else instead. But if I ask them, will they think
I just don't know what I'm thinking? All this thinking stuff gives me a
headache. Can't I just breeze through life thoughtlessly?
Dear Most High Lord and Excellent
Thinker of Thoughts, please help me to work more diligently on how to think
critically, objectively, and constructively. Let me recognize and understand
the biases and emotions that influence my thoughts and, after some analysis
(which may include advice from several others), feel comfortable moving forward
anyway or, to change direction entirely. I do know that my thoughts, human as
they are, will always be flawed in one way or another. Grant me the ability to
be open to changes in my opinions and positions based on new information, even if from people I have decided I don't especially like. Let
me work calmly through criticism ~ fair or not (in my opinion) ~ and accept the outcomes of my
actions (and my [sometimes] over-quick mouth) while learning new lessons for the future. Whether my thinking is
inside or outside of any given box, let me not recycle the same ways of
understanding life in ever smaller circles with ever smaller thoughts, or, in
other words, don't let me believe everything I think.
amen.
*Charlie Chaplin [1899-1977], born in
England, was an actor, comedian, director, and writer ~ all of the first magnitude ~ with
a huge fan base on both sides of the Atlantic and elsewhere that helped him
survive both adoration and controversy. His brilliance in his early silent films is
still being admired today. His most famous character, The Tramp, propelled him to icon
status.
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