Searching for Nuggets of Truth

“We move toward, and become like, what we think about. Our present thoughts determine our future.” More wise words, this time from the late Lou Tice. Our thoughts form the foundation of our beliefs, and these beliefs are played out every day in the words we use, and in the behaviors we show to the world. These beliefs and behaviors are also reflected in our attitudes.

Now, an attitude is simply the way we lean. We either lean toward something (a positive attitude) or we lean away from something (a negative attitude). It’s something we want, or something we don’t want. The words we use to describe either of these situations reinforce our attitudes and by extension, our beliefs and our habits.

We also do and say a lot of things by habit, because habits make our lives easier. We don’t have to think about everything we do, every time we do it. Saves time, right? Saves energy, too. Our brains love habits. We don’t need to devote much brainpower to our habits. The challenge comes when we don’t stop to really consider the effects our habitual words have on our attitudes.

Unfortunately, we don’t stop to think when we use “always” or “never” – situations that rarely exist, in reality. But our brains know what they mean, and we act accordingly. “Always” and “never” are exclusionary and are designed to divide and separate, even in mathematics. When they are used in society, one group inevitably suffers from the separation.

Over the next few weeks, let’s do a little research. As you are reading or watching the news, be aware of the use of “Always” and “Never.” As you listen to the speech-makers, read the opinion pages in newspapers (in hand or online) – whether in politics or elsewhere – listen carefully for the words being used. Ask yourself, “Is what I am hearing really the truth, or is it someone’s opinion? Where’s the proof?”

These days, becoming a skeptical listener can be a bit of a challenge. Let’s face it, there is a lot of “noise” out there, and picking through it for the nuggets of truth requires skill and attention to detail. The more skilled we are, the more aware, leaves each of us stronger, smarter and wiser.