Observing Our Thinking

It’s been said that there is not a single waking moment when we are not thinking. Which is why I bother to observe my thinking. I want to stay on track. What does my thinking track look like?  I want my thinking to stay with what is good, right, true and beautiful rather than the bad, ugly and cynical. 

 Consequently, I regard not only what I’m thinking about, but how I think about what I think about.

It may seem like a lot of work to scrutinize our thinking and I’ll admit, some days the work is more arduous than others. But, like any personal practice we choose to commit to whether exercising, eating right or observing our thinking, in the long run, the kickback of our practice leads to a better way of living.

For me, keeping my thoughts in check means getting past my first response of someone, or something. I can be quick to formulate an opinion about others or about a particular set of circumstances. But I am also capable of learning and training myself to be different. 

Sometimes I get a little help. 

Case in point. I teach adult swimming lessons and can easily point out to my students what I see as “wrong” mechanics in their stroke. Just recently though, one of my students, a very insightful and retired psychologist said to me, “I learn better if you start out telling me something positive.” 

I take his words as truthful and those words often reverberate inside my head as I continue my job as a swimming instructor. I am finding that it is not so hard to start with a positive affirmation before giving my students a critique. 

Why Bother?  

Why bother observing our thinking? Our thinking propels our words and actions. If I want my life to produce the good, right, true and beautiful rather than the bad, ugly and cynical then I have to start with what I think and how I think about it. 

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who, like me, know they need to change, but are not quite sure where to start. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.