Thinking, really self-introspective thinking is hard work. No one can give you the answers because you have to discover them from inside. Others can facilitate an awareness, a feeling or reciprocity, but no one walks your exact path so following in their footsteps can only get you so far. You have to discover on your own the answers for your life. And this discovery is hard work!
We are used to being spoon-fed information quickly in our society. Most of us know how to regurgitate what we’re told; not process it and internalize it as knowledge. Some information won’t ring true to us. Then we need to take a look at it and perhaps even reject the material. Webster’s Dictionary defines critical thinking as: “the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion.” I personally don’t engage in this mental process enough. I’m told something. I assume it is true.
We are also used to being surrounded by constant noise which makes thinking even harder. Sometimes this “noise” is actual noise, such as music, chatter, or the tv. Sometimes this “noise” is in our own heads as we worry about situations in our lives; or compare ourselves with others; or wonder what others are thinking about us. All this “noise” is literally mind-numbing in that it prevents deep thinking.
I’m a victim of shallow-thinking as much as anyone else. Internal thinking is a curvacous, creative process and I’m a very straight-line, linear person. I hope through this blog to become a more creative thinker as others express their thoughts and I actually sit quietly and reflect on my own learning and their comments. So take a moment to explore, enjoy, learn, think, process, and comment.
Thanks for reading,
Julie
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