When you’re gifted with the power of thought
It is a wonderful thing in a way,
But it can also create problems
If your thoughts tend to go astray.
The power of thought brings things to light
That we tend to postpone
But now folks with the power of thoughts
Have today become quite known
So if you posses the power of thought
And don’t know how to use it
Consult others who have the same quality,
But very seldom abuse it.
For the Lord gave us the power of thought
To do with as we choose
So hang on to it, always,
It is one power you don’t want to lose!
Norman Van Horne
Have you ever thought of how some things are everything and nothing at the same time? I find it strange. It is strange, obviously. And have you thought of how almost every statement can be justified in one way or another? And that many opposite things can actually equal each other? If you’ve thought of these things, then have you thought about what purpose this serves? Thinking. What does it do? Especially thinking of such perplexing things.
“And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” {Ar-Ra’ad:3}
It’s becoming common these days to find people, especially teenagers, thinking about deep matters; coming up with philosophical theories, twisting simple phenomenon into some unfathomable philosophy which might even be very impressive. But what use is it? Does it help us discover the universe? Does it help you get closer to the Creator? Does it help you in this world? Does it do anything but make you a mysterious complex character who others observe in awe? Maybe it does. Maybe. We could even come up with some very profound logics to this. I’m not here to judge that.
I just think there are better things to ponder upon than triangles that could begin from one point or from two. Who created the things we twist into philosophies? Why were they created? What’s the purpose of stars? What’s the wisdom of seasons? Why are humans the way they are? Why isn’t everyone the same? Wouldn’t everything be better if we all had the same capabilities and weaknesses? Wouldn’t the world be fairer if everyone had everything they wanted? Then why not? Why is there any evil at all in this world? Why do infants die? Why does war exist? What is disease for? Why is the universe the way it is? How come everything nature has created is so perfect? Who could’ve thought of such complexities that the world possesses? And then who could’ve created such fine detail? And then who could manage so much in such a balanced way? And then…. Who could destroy every single thing to ever exist in the universe? What are angels? Where did they come from? What is religion? Why do we need it? Why does the world contain proportions of everything? Who could think of all of this? How did it happen? WHY did it happen? The world that we live in, does it actually even really exist? How do you know everything isn’t just a figment of your imagination? What is this time that we so believe in? Why does death come? What comes after? Humans couldn’t just exist once to vanish forever, could they? Nothing that is something can ever really become completely nothing. Or can it?
We’re humans, and there are two things we do subconsciously and constantly. Breathing, thinking. These two things actually affect each other largely. Our breathing rhythms affect our moods. Our emotions influence our breathing rhythms. Point being, we can’t help thinking all sorts of things, but our thoughts do eventually become our words which might become our acts; directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously. I remember when we first got a TV in our house, I was afraid of it. I think I was 12 or 13. Then I began watching it, and used to think the shows won’t affect me, after all, I’m only watching them. I’m not doing anything of the sort. But I did watch, those things imbedded in my thoughts, and eventually I was confident enough to just joke about them, and then they seeped into my acts in such an unnoticeable way, I couldn’t even put the blame on the TV.
Hence, thoughts > words > actions
And I might go as far as to say: actions > identity
According to a very famous quote, “Watch your thoughts; They become words. Watch your words; They become deeds. Watch your deeds; They become habits. Watch your habits; They become character. Character is everything.” A chinese proverb went as far as to say that character becomes your destiny. Robert C. Jameson explains this well on Huffington post;
“The thoughts and actions we do habitually through time determines our destiny. If I think negative thoughts and if I am filled with judgments towards myself and others, my actions will follow my thoughts and I will get what I focus on. Most people will not want to be around me, because they don’t like being judged and they don’t like hearing me judge others. I will feel lonely and victimized, which will cycle around and around and in time my destiny will appear bleak.”
So then basically your thoughts make up your identity, your personality, and they control what happens to us. You can’t stop thinking, and you mustn’t. But think good then. Think of things that give you something to live for. Think about where you are, and what you’re doing there. Think about why you are where you are. Think about how long you’re there for, and how long you’ll live for. Think about whether you’re ready to die. Think about life, and whether your life is good enough. Make your thoughts more than thoughts. Let them be reflections; honest reflections. And never restrict them to the mind. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is impossible to restrict thoughts to the mind. They will expose themselves in some way. Some subtle acts, some whispered words, dreams, desires, aims.
It is also important to understand identity, what with the prevailing identity crises everywhere these days. My International Relations teacher said something while discussing globalization one day and it stuck with me. He told us that with the rapidly overtaking globalization, we’re developing a global identity. Identity crises is the gap between our individual identities and the global identity that is trying to hijack our world. Let us understand the implications of a global identity. No individuality, for one. A global religion, global perspectives, global standards of life, of likes and dislikes. Our identities are in peril. We cannot set ourselves up against global standards. That will make us clones of each other. It is important to recognize oneself and set apart our identities.
“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”
― George R.R. Martin
Think to find yourself. Think to believe. And believe to be.
