Yesterday I wrote about how sometimes thinking is really just rearranging our personal prejudices. When we rearrange prejudices, we engage in something close to thinking, but not close enough. It may appear that we are thinking; however, we are merely re-labeling those personal prejudices and putting them out there, hoping folks will buy the same old junk we have peddled in the past (without realizing it).
Today’s post is the flip side of yesterday’s post. The other side of this “thinking coin” is that there are times when we just don’t think . . . period. We simply react. When we react, we operate essentially from the emotional seat of our being. We are driven by emotions that often hobble our abilities to deal effectively with situations. When we are in the “reactive mode,” we are more susceptible to manipulation and coercion. We find ourselves vulnerable to smooth talking shysters bent on using and abusing our good will and heart.
When we choose to avoid thinking, we choose to give our minds and ultimately our hearts over to those who would use us. Not Thinking:
- Limits possibilities
- Closes doors
- Buries hope
- Shuts down communication
- Weakens resolve
- Corrals courage
- Endangers creativity
When I think about those who avoid thinking, it causes me to think. It causes me to wonder what is behind the choice to disengage the brain? What causes us to go along with the crowd? What causes us to give up the struggle for understanding, enlightenment or insight.
I’m afraid that the most dominant reason behind not thinking is that thinking is just too hard. Effort is involved in weighing opposing perspectives. We might have to spend time digging through the details. We might have to struggle. I’m afraid that we would rather have someone tell us what to do, what to believe, what to value. The problem with not thinking is that there are plenty of people out there who know there are people who do not think. And those people walk around like a roaring lion, seeking whom the may devour.
I for one, choose thinking over becoming a menu selection. THINK about it!
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
