Yet, to be honest, it wasn’t always this way. It’s true that as far back as I can recall I have been lost in my thoughts. And that was my preferred hang out. Quite comfortable. Quite safe. Quite inside my own box.
For many of those early years, I was so stuck in my own head there was no one but myself to expand my thinking. In other words, my thinking was like a hamster on a wheel: exercising, but getting nowhere.
This is why I am sometimes prone to narrow thinking. And because I’m aware of that, it’s also why narrow thinking makes me claustrophobic. I need to give my head a shake every now and again. We all do. But do we?
Imagine life’s challenges without the influence of great thinkers and their wisdom. This is why I believe we need thought-leaders. Thought-leaders with credentials. Think about this. When I reflect on those first influences who planted seeds that actually grew into thoughts, I realize something about myself with complete clarity: I used to be an idiot. (And I still have a way to go.) In fact, considering those early thought-leaders, it’s a wonder I can think at all:
1. The Swedish Chef.
2. My cousin who liked to boil frogs.
3. A kid at school who made stink-bombs.
4. Pac-Man.
5.Gilligan.
Other than the Swedish Chef, a tad feeble. (And I'm surprised I didn't become a terrorist.) But that was then and this is now and that’s my message: it’s never too late to be influenced by great thinkers and even become one yourself. I am in awe of all the people who make me think now. Every day. My hamster has finally left the building.
So...I’m wondering if you’re wondering too. Who are the thought-leaders in your life?
7 comments:
This was the main one.......
http://crivensjingsandhelpmaboab.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/lesson-never-properly-learned.html
This is why I love reading blogs. I actually learn a lot this way but mostly it's so interesting to see how other people think, or seem to think.
Sometimes all I learn though is what others do with their days or what they ate today. Oh well.
I know this is such a cliche thing to say, but you make me smile. And that's hard to do at 6am. When I've already been up for two hours.
I find they can come up and surprise me sometimes. I read a very moving essay entitled, "There is no God" by the magician Penn Gillette some years ago. I have a well-worn anthology of poetry, "The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart" that leads me in new places over the course of the years. I agree, we have to expand our thinking.
We don't learn, if we don't THINK.
But, you have to (my opinion) stick to the core of your beliefs and gut and heart.......as some "thinkers" do NOT know all.
That's why, we are blessed with the ability to THINK for ourselves
Hash things out, sort, ponder....and no matter how confused I get with all the THINKERS of the world...I come back to the simplest of things for me. The most meaningful things.
(it is different for everyone)
Almost all of them are dust in the wind at this point.
Buddha
Burt Reynolds
Post a Comment