“The Doubt of Saint Gerard Magella” Jacques Flechemuller Oil on Wood
Think of all the things you’re picky about – what you wear, what you eat, where you live, who your friends are – and I suspect what you think might not make the list. But the longer I live, the more completely I believe that there’s nothing more important than being pickiest about what we think.
Thinking is one of the most divinely endowed abilities we have. What we think manifests love or fear, comfort or discomfort, well-being or anger, peace or war. Because we are what we think, it behooves us to be very, very picky.
Here are three ways to be picky about what you think.
Three Ways to Be Picky About What You Think
Question Yourself. With everything that happens, ask yourself what you think. What I think now at the age of 64 is the result of a lifetime of questioning thoughts I once held true, but no longer do. I grew up thinking women couldn’t be priests, and now I see that we already are. If it doesn’t feel true to you, then it’s not. When anything feels questionable, it’s time to question yourself.
Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Mind. If what you really think no longer fits with what you once thought, never be afraid to change your mind. Just as bodies grow and change, so, too, do souls become more conscious and thoughtful, if we let them. Changing inside and out prevents us from getting stuck in thoughtless ways of living that do no good to anyone. Never be afraid to change what you believe in order to become who you are. Change is another divinely endowed ability for our making.
Become More Mindful. Give daily thought to what you think and why. The more mindful we are of how our thoughts affect others, the pickier we’ll hopefully become about what we think. What comes out of the mouth originates in the mind. So keep a watchful eye on what your thoughts do to others. Not only will you begin to see more clearly what you think, but you will also become a more thoughtful person; and that, in itself, is a blessing. We can all change this world, one person at a time, by being pickier about what we think.
Until next week, think about this: “Praise God by liking what you like.” Alice Walker
Karol Jackowski, Ph.D., became a nun in 1964. She's also been a college administrator, graduate of New York University, manager of a toy store, author of eight books, painter of religious folk art, and sister to everyone she meets. Please visit her website at KarolJackowski.com.
From: christene | 4/3/11 at 11:58 am
I love this one. What a wonderful--and simple!--reminder of how to be more responsible and productive with our thoughts...thank you sister Karol!
From: Jupiter Blue | 4/4/11 at 10:19 am
I am totally agree with this post. We have to be responsible on what we are thinking and what we are doing.
From: Ken Burks | 4/12/11 at 10:15 pm
Wow, Karol, this really struck a very powerful chord for me right now!!...Love your words Karol!!
From: Your Sunday Morning Indulgence | 7/10/11 at 11:38 am
[...] 3 Ways to Be Picky About What You Think (And You Should Be) “What we think manifests love or fear, comfort or discomfort, well-being or anger, peace or war. Because we are what we think, it behooves us to be very, very picky.” [Sister Karol Jackowski, Ph.D. - Whole Living] [...]