I was reading a column by author Thomas Sowell and his first paragraph suggested that we like to think that our world is making progress by getting beyond certain stages.
For instance, when President Obama was elected President, many suggested that we had become a post-racial society, meaning that we had finally overcome our racial divisions. As wonderful as that would be, I’m pretty sure we haven’t.
Another “post” observation is that, since so many of our factories have been shuttered and the greatest driver of new jobs is the service sector, our country is post-industrial.
It’s not good when a country makes its living by selling cell phones and computers that have been made in Asia and the largest growth industry is government.
Finally, as a pastor, I see the faith of Christianity losing so much of its influence in our nation. It might be said that we have entered a post-Christian era.
I hope not, but if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck.
Sowell’s main question was “have we become a post-thinking country?” In other words, some of the decisions we are making seem to indicate a serious deficiency of thinking or maybe no thinking at all. It got me to thinking about thinking!
First of all, I may not be an Einstein when it comes to thinking. I remember when my teachers used to say “put on your thinking cap.” I would take out my conical-shaped hat and head on over to the corner.
Actually, it was another great thinker who hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned. Thomas Edison said “Five percent of the people think; ten percent of the people think they think; and the other eighty-five percent would rather die than think.” I’m trying to think. Into which of those groups do I fit?
My cranium is getting warm just thinking about it.
Winnie the Pooh, a much greater thinker than he is given credit for, got it right about those people who purport to make decisions for the rest of us. The Pooh said, “People who don’t think probably don’t have brains; rather they have grey stuff that’s blown into their heads by mistake.” And I thought their heads were empty!
There I go thinking when I’m not used to it.
Did your parents ever ask you “What were you thinking?” Usually that question follows some action of which it could be said there was no thinking. I didn’t have the presence of mind to ask back of my parents, “What do you think I was thinking?” I guess that proves I was thinking a little bit!
How about the phrase, “a penny for your thoughts?” Watch out on this one. I think too much honesty is troublesome.
A young wife looked in on her husband who was standing over the crib that held their newborn son. She was careful not to disturb his moment.
At the same time, she beamed at his looks of delight, amazement, enchantment and so many more emotions.
She was touched by her husband’s show of heretofore unseen sentiment. She was tearful and broke her silence by the question, “a penny for your thoughts?”
He said, “It’s amazing! I cannot understand how anyone could make a crib like this for only $75.00.”
Her thoughts gushed forth, but I don’t think The Post-Searchlight would print them!