Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Thinking or Feeling?

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(the view across from my reading corner in my kitchen)

One of the smartest things I have heard in a long time

was a line of dialogue in The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep as

Margaret Thatcher.


To paraphrase liberally, in a scene where her doctor asks her how she feels,

she responds that

too much attention is given to how we feel rather than what we think.


(pause… let that sink in…and now hang on to your seat)

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I decided (using thinking rather than feeling)

when I heard that,

that how I feel may not always be

what is best for me if I gave it rational thought.


Examples:

I don’t feel like exercising.

I don’t feel like cleaning out the utility room.

I don’t feel like cooking supper.

I don’t feel like _______________.

blahblahblahblah.


But…

I think I better.


From the Steel Trap Mind,

your friend Laura

at

White Spray Paint.








18 comments:

Deb said...

Now that is something to think about Laura

Gail Dixon said...

Hmmm...definitely something to ponder.

Lynn Wood said...

A very deep thought. Maybe our thoughts can change our feelings? I haven't seen that movie but I just added it to my "Movies to See List".

Pondside said...

Somewhere along the way we all bought the idea that it was better to feel than to think - Marshal Rosenberg's None Violent Communication is a good model, but many people got no further than the "I feel" part.

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Multiple times a day we press through the "feelings" to what we know (think) must be done or should be done. But in all honesty, there's many times we don't.
I like this, Laura. Like Gail said, definitely something to ponder.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

There were some great lines in that movie!!!!

I've always said it's easier to "feel" because "thinking" is hard work!

Have a great week!

Mary

Theresa said...

Hmmmm, I think I better get off the sofa and get busy:) Enjoy your day dear Laura, HUGS!

Rita said...

What a great thought Laura! I don't "feel" like going to work today, but I guess I better "think" about it and get up and go!

NanaDiana said...

What a great truth. One of the classes I took to do counseling was similar to that- The instructor said- Your heart will lie to you because it is based on emotion....listen to your head and act on that- the heart will follow suit. That has stuck with me for this whole long time. xo Diana

Olive said...

You are so spot on. Going through the day based on feelings can lead to depression and lots of bad stuff. For instance sometimes I may not feel the love of God but I know it to be an actual fact. Thanks for your comment on my series it means more than I can ever say. Hugs, Olive

Tina said...

HHMMM?
"I think, therefore I am" (by Rene Descartes)

I have got to see that movie. I always liked Margaret Thatcher.

Have a great day

Karen said...

Wow! How right you are, Miss Laura. I need to make some changes.
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Dixie said...

I'm feeling what you're saying... wink-wink

Lynne said...

I liked thi

Lynne said...

Loved the Iron Lady quote/paraphrase and your "I think I better" even more . . . smile.

Thank you for visiting me retired English teacher . . .

Lynne said...

I am not sure why the above didn't print my comment but it went something like this.

I liked your Iron Lady quote/paraphrase and your "I think . . ." statement even more.

Thank you for visiting me retired English teacher . . .

Anonymous said...

Food for thought. I LIKE it! :)

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Ha, ha, having worked as an engineer, I have had to work on feeling instead of always thinking. I guess it's all about balance.

 

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