Thinking and ThoughtsThinking and Thoughts

I’ve been guilty of daydreaming…

CMG In A Balloon 2
Me in a Hot Air Balloon…

Daydreaming? Who Me? Yes, you! Maybe, even daily! There’s something to be said for taking a mental break from the task-driven world and think about something different. Or even, nothing at’all.

One study even equates daydreaming to positive results.

Well, psychological research is beginning to reveal that daydreaming is a strong indicator of an active and well-equipped brain. Tell that to your third-grade teacher. [Source]

Wow… I have a well-equipped and active brain! Duh. I knew that! Here’s an example:

If you know about 2001: A Space Odyssey, then you may understand this.

HAL + 1 = IBM
CTG + 1 = DUH
If you understand this,
then you will please let me know…

Subconscious Thoughts

I know during my quiet driving times my brain is thinking through life and working out solutions subconsciously. The same is true while working in the yard with my tractor. There is something to be said about busy activities and mindless work being challenged with the undercurrent of thinking and dealing with important matters.

While driving through the wilds of Canada by myself one year, relocating my daughter’s car to Seattle (whoa! 2001!), 1840 miles of that trip crossed through the Yukon and British Columbia. From the Alaskan border and into Washington state, there was a great beauty. There were many lonely spots where the radio did not work and the mind was very active! The road has some gorgeous views and there was a deep unfulfilled desire, to simply pull over, climb one of the hills overlooking the Fraser Valley, or the Canadian Rockies, and just ponder the deep mysteries of life and the wonder of creation.

Reading books keep my mind occupied,
but listening to the radio or playing a game of solitaire,
well, let’s just say the brain is cooking on high heat!

Through all of this we know it’s wrong to get lost daydreaming! You cannot be productive in life if your mind always wanders down other avenues. Right?

Uh, Oh… Here Comes College!

Do you know the name, George Lucas? My first exposure to him was in a college class in 1973 (6 years after he graduated college and 3 years after his first movie). Lee College, Speech Class, or something like this. THX 1138… (It was in this same class we studied Soylent Green)

“I’m not much of a math and science guy.
I spent most of my time in school daydreaming and managed to turn it into a living.” ~George Lucas

Probably one of the lucky ones. I guess the intent of daydreaming time may actually make you productive in the future! But isn’t that the key? Take all your daydreaming talent, and the results, to mentally accrue like coins in a piggy bank, and then put the results to work!

Now Comes Paul

The Apostle Paul tells us to bring every thought into captivity! (2 Corinthians 10:5) The Message translation says it like this, “…we lead every thought and purpose…” To my way of thinking, we are in charge of how we think! You want to be a better person? Get in charge of your rambling thoughts and make them productive! Wise people know this!

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV)

It is even in the greatest chapter of Love that Paul tells us that Love “thinks no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:5) and it seems like there are people dreaming up all the evil they would do if the opportunity presents itself! All you have to do is listen to the news for a few moments and you grow disgusted with election focus – both the who, and the what!

I still like the fact that MSN news has a “Good News” tab! And I go to it often!

Here’s a last thought…

It’s not just your thoughts about yourself, or your problems… I believe God thinks about us also!

  • But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. (Psalms 40:17 NKJV)
  • For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

So. Corral your thoughts. Make them productive. Put them to use. And show all of us that daydreaming is okay!

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!