Thoughts Are Things

Thoughts are things, and they are either creative or destructive. Because manifestation in a material environment is incremental, subject to the laws of time and space, we do not always consider the effects we have set in motion. When we think something we do not instantly see the result, and by the time we do, we choose to forget we are the cause. Yet, cause and effect are absolute realities, and there is no such thing as a neutral or idle thought. We can give whatever degree of significance we wish to a thought but it all thoughts are creative. What raises the effectiveness of a thought is when we act upon the circumstances it brought about.  

Situations in our lives will be presented to us as a result of our having created them by thought. We are the author of our opportunities, and we are constantly adjusting the lens through which we view the world around us. When the restrictions of time and space drop away, our involvement in creating our own circumstances is like a baseball game with us playing all of the positions at the same time. We pitch the ball, hit the ball, field the ball, and decide if we will get on base or not. Every experience we have is the result of what we set in motion, and how we responded to it. Whether we know it or not, we are responding to ourselves.  

When selfish thoughts invariably arise it would be best for us to set them aside and think again. Where should our thoughts take us, what would constructive thoughts look like? Love, joy, peace, persistence, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are called “fruits of the Spirit.” If any of these are not found somewhere in our thinking it may be helpful to carefully consider what we are creating. There is no situation, no circumstance where one or more of these “fruits” cannot be the guiding force. We do not have to express any of these “fruits” in abstract form but as the guiding principles in our emotional, intellectual and ultimately our daily actions.  

Many of us are unaccustomed to paying attention to what we are thinking. Thus the process becomes entirely emotional, and we surrender the opportunity to be purposefully creative on a daily basis. We will surely be creative no matter what we think but it may be more helpful to do so controlling our circumstances and not be for us to be controlled by them. Let us take a few moments to collect ourselves, to consider what we are thinking about, to take time throughout our day to be more attentive to what we are creating, and make whatever adjustments we find helpful to create a more hopeful  and helpful environment for ourselves and those that we love.

One Response to “Thoughts Are Things”

1. Dansbar says:

   February 22, 2012 at 5:41 am

   Couldn’t agree more, well written article.