DAY 32 – KEY ASPECT: ACCURATE AND FACTUAL THOUGHTS

I am at a family holiday dinner. All of us know each other very well and we often find ourselves in heated discussions over what is occuring in the world. On so many issues everyone seems to argue aggressively because each of us does not doubt the validity and accuracy of their beliefs. At the same time, no one ever deviates from what they believe in and we also are quick to find fault with another family member’s contrarian ideas.

When people argue to this degree over what they believe in it becomes difficult to get an even-handed perspective on an issue. We can understand steadfast beliefs because the one person each of us talks to more than anyone else is oneself. Every day hundreds, if not thousands, of words are said silently to oneself. No one is talking back to us giving feedback of a different perspective on the silent ideas we have. No one other than oneself is determining the accuracy and factuality of those silent words within each and every mind. Through every phase of life, we live our lives from this perspective.

Young children do not have the mental capacity to put the pieces of the puzzle of life together and to delve deeper into the shell. They do not understand what their parents are going through or any other human being. All they can do is believe in and react to the silent words that they say to themselves. There is no ability to assess the accuracy and factual basis to what a young child thinks and whether it will help or detract from people having a better life.

The teenage years bring about more knowledge and capabilities than when they were younger. Teenagers can go places and do things on their own without the constant protection of an adult. They start to see aspects of life that they didn’t before. They know that there are consequences to their actions but may dismiss them because the silent words they say to themselves makes them believe nothing detrimental will happen at that moment or in the future.

By the time we reach adulthood there is a hope that each of us has the capability to assess life realistically. Most of the time we do this with a beneficial result, not only for oneself but also for our fellow human beings. Other times, though, the silent words said by adults can be just as inaccurate as when they were younger with the consequences substantially greater.

For the people we care about the most, friends, people we date and our immediate family, inaccurate thoughts can have a devastating effect upon the relationship. Without realizing it, thoughts that may seem perfectly fine will in actuality contribute problems to the relationship. The expectations are much greater and everyone needs to consider the ramifications of which type of thoughts lead to more or less harmony.

When we look at humanity as a whole human beings have staunch personal economic and governmental philosophies based upon a belief that their thoughts are accurate about how to run the human household. Often times people with unyielding economic and political beliefs reject other ideas because they do not conform with those silent words people say about such issues. It becomes very difficult to make genuine and long lasting collective progress when people with differing thoughts about how to run the human household will not budge from the thoughts that they have.

Wars and violence are perpetrated upon humanity because of the belief in the accuracy and factual basis of the thoughts of the perpetrators of inhumane actions. Those silent words justify the dislike, hatred and mistreatment of others. They create a justification in their mind that makes it seem there is nothing wrong to keep certain individuals or an entire segment of humanity without rights or the ability to have a decent life. How can anyone successfully get through to someone that it is wrong to mistreat others when that person thinks there is a rationality to those type of thoughts

Humane progress that goes beyond the technological aspect requires accurate and factual thinking. We can create a world where humanity lives in peace, where no one lives in dire conditions, where the earth is clean and sustainable and where all of the requirements for a better world are met. By determining which silent words and which ideas that flow through our minds will actually create a holistically better world we can have more confidence that they can be the basis for our beliefs and actions.

On my way home from my family gathering I now realize that just because I have a thought does not mean that those silent words I say to myself are accurate, factual and beneficial to myself, my fellow human beings and to the earth. Without a factual foundation upon which we conduct personal and societal affairs our ability to find the best path forward will be left wanting.