When did you last think about ‘thinking’? It’s probably not something you do very often. But, of course, you think all the time. Mostly about the day-to-day demands of life, maybe also sometimes about what you see as the big issues for your family and friends. Preparing for the next steps, whatever they may be, requires thinking. Your work will make demands for thought. If I was to tell you that thinking can be one of the greatest pleasures of life, would you agree? Do you think the way the world’s politics, technology, climate control, fairness and law are going is correct? Might people thinking more sensibly about them make a difference?
Do you do any mental exercises? They might be puzzles, analyses, articles and videos on matters you see as vital. They will certainly be things that stretch the mind, make you search for answers, compel you to ask questions. Mental exercise is as important as physical workouts. If you don’t keep your mind turning it loses its ability to think. Then, when you really need it, you will find you get confused. Muddles don’t solve problems.
The discipline of thinking starts with what to think about. If you rely on public and social media to decide your thoughts they will mostly be trivial. Look instead at the advantages, use and range of AI – a whole new field of exploration for humanity. Think about its potential. Also think about its dangers and what steps you can take to make it safer. Unless we pay a lot more attention to this technology we will end up as robots with limited minds. Do we want that?
Our thinking should extend beyond technology. We live on a stunningly beautiful planet in a universe of billions of other earths. We have brains that can appreciate sounds, pictures, senses, feelings, imaginings. All of these can be as exciting and as much joy as anything we can buy. They can all be reached by us thinking, at little or no cost – just by using our minds.
To think well you must See, Remember, Express, Feel and Deliberate. What we observe is the foundation of most people’s thinking. ‘Looking sharp’ is a good way to activate your mind. Notice everything going on around you. You need to create memory hooks to remember what you have seen that matters and what will feed your mind as you think. Expand your vocabulary so that you can express what you are thinking. Invent new words and develop the language.
Permit your feelings. Some societies have a discipline of not allowing their feelings either to be seen or to influence them. They are wrong. Feelings are the difference between humans and robots. They are there for a reason. Love or hate, joy or sorrow, our feelings are the shine on the glittering symbol that each of us is. Personality? Yes, but I think they are our soul.
As such they can never be perfect. The shine glows and dims, We have the ability to assist that. If we deliberate why we have our personality and consider how we would like it to be we can become a beehive of blessings for others. When we are, those blessings are ours, too. To achieve this our thoughts must be predominantly for our fellow humans.
When you assert beauty, others become beautiful.
There is nothing more thoughtful than that.
Good morning
John Bittleston
P.S. In my next Daily Paradox I will explain how to become immersed in your thinking. It’s what makes you think deeply.
11 Aug 2025
