We keep thinking about subject ‘A’ until subject ‘B’ comes along. When that’s not over, subject ‘C’ comes along. Then subject ‘D’. Then for some reason we’re back to thinking about subject ‘A’ while thinking about subject ‘E’. Then comes along subject ‘J78#V’ because life is unpredictable enough to not follow a set pattern. It goes on and on. Basically, we think too much about every possible thing to think about. Hence, humans are absurd.
In hindsight, what I thought about 360 days ago isn’t what I’m thinking about right now. So what’s the point? Did I materialize what I was thinking about 360 days ago? Did I write about that particular thought in a journal for future use? I didn’t do any of those. Hence, humans are absurd.
It’s not like I don’t love thinking about thinking about random shit. My mind and body thrive on it. But it’s not just about thinking about thinking about thinking, is it? It’s almost always what I’m thinking about when I’m thinking about what I’m thinking.
I’m drawing a line between positive thinking and negative thinking, here. If you didn’t catch that already.
I’m analyzing the dimensions of positive thinking against the dimensions of negative thinking. I can just as easily switch gears and think about the lack of sleep I might probably experience after drinking 3 cups of coffee today from thinking about how I couldn’t have finished my work, even after hours, without it.
The point is we think. More than “we think” we’re capable of thinking. Hence, humans are absurd.
At the very bottom of our existence, when the time comes, we find the right words to keep our thoughts alive. We find the right words to keep our thoughts understood. And that’s how we connect with the outside world.
Here’s the thing: it will take you a long time to figure this out. And it’s surprising too. The realization of it makes you absurd. In comparison, the absurdity of this is much more powerful than the absurdity of just thinking. The absurdity of failing at understanding thoughts is much more meaningful at getting it right the first time. But we’re never going to get it right anyway. What’s the point?
Hence, humans are absurd.
I had this thought when I was thinking about how I’m going to make time to write this article. Then I stopped, “Is there nothing else for me to think about?” I was surprised at how effortlessly my mind switched gears from thinking about writing to thinking about why I’m thinking about writing and questioning myself for it.
Our attention not only emanates from our need to listen and observe. The simple ability to focus on something is attention. Be it on our thoughts or the person we’re talking to. And when our thoughts fade away — letting them go on the basis of whether they do something for us is a good thing. Rather than having to process thoughts and not being aware of them.
I could go even further by saying that not every thought makes sense. And so not every thought needs to be thought about in terms of how positive or negative it is. But the mere awareness of the thought itself is possible only after the question, “Why am I giving this thought so much important? And why is it bothering me still?”
Only then do we come to the conclusion that thoughts are never avoidable. They’re always inevitable. But the ability to focus and drive our attention on them is in our hands. This builds a whole new core concept of positive and negative thinking. And its dimensions. And its lessons.
From where I was once overwhelmed by a thought, I’m now harnessing abundant thoughts. Even after doing that, I’m still not getting sucked down the rabbit hole of overthinking at its worst. That’s the whole point of processing information, of any kind, anyway.
To not get sucked down the rabbit hole of life.
Into darkness.
Into the moment when you feel you’re about to burst out laughing and simultaneously crying at any second.