Here is what I believe: The essence of who we are is what we think. If we want to improve the quality of our outcomes, we must at least improve the quality of our thinking. For a practical example, a therapist would tell a patient to avoid negative thinking not because these thoughts are "bad," as such. They must cease because they are incredibly harmful, especially to a vulnerable psyche. They have measurable detrimental impact to a persons wellbeing.
So, the theory is that if thinking improves, life itself will improve. Let's pull on that thread. If we can improve our thinking, we are developing a wellspring within ourselves that is full of good things and is well nourished. Jesus said it best: "Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words." (Luke 6:45 TPT).
It is my belief that our thinking is primarily what contributes to the contents of our hearts. As we think, we become. Though, at least initially, this can remain beneath the surface. Once we speak, we make what was once "internal" into reality. We solidify ourselves, if you will.
If you watch yourself, I suspect that you are like most people, in that we do not truly know what we think or believe until we have spoken it. There is something about the act of articulation that codifies our thinking. If you find yourself working and forming a new opinion, try to discuss it with someone while it is still being freshly formed within you. As you speak it out, observe where you feel more or less confident about various aspects of your opinion. Watch how you adjust, which of your thoughts you are attracted to or shrink away from. Afterwards, reflect. I would guess that you will feel more certain, one way or another, about your beliefs. You will have done some work to form them and they, in a sense, will have formed you. They have begun to create our identity, because we have articulated what we think, and that is how we are known by others in our community.
So, from that point of view, our words are who we are.
Could you expand on what you mean by "Our words are who we are?"
Thanks for the question Dylan :)
Here is what I believe: The essence of who we are is what we think. If we want to improve the quality of our outcomes, we must at least improve the quality of our thinking. For a practical example, a therapist would tell a patient to avoid negative thinking not because these thoughts are "bad," as such. They must cease because they are incredibly harmful, especially to a vulnerable psyche. They have measurable detrimental impact to a persons wellbeing.
So, the theory is that if thinking improves, life itself will improve. Let's pull on that thread. If we can improve our thinking, we are developing a wellspring within ourselves that is full of good things and is well nourished. Jesus said it best: "Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words." (Luke 6:45 TPT).
It is my belief that our thinking is primarily what contributes to the contents of our hearts. As we think, we become. Though, at least initially, this can remain beneath the surface. Once we speak, we make what was once "internal" into reality. We solidify ourselves, if you will.
If you watch yourself, I suspect that you are like most people, in that we do not truly know what we think or believe until we have spoken it. There is something about the act of articulation that codifies our thinking. If you find yourself working and forming a new opinion, try to discuss it with someone while it is still being freshly formed within you. As you speak it out, observe where you feel more or less confident about various aspects of your opinion. Watch how you adjust, which of your thoughts you are attracted to or shrink away from. Afterwards, reflect. I would guess that you will feel more certain, one way or another, about your beliefs. You will have done some work to form them and they, in a sense, will have formed you. They have begun to create our identity, because we have articulated what we think, and that is how we are known by others in our community.
So, from that point of view, our words are who we are.