Thinking is not living. Thinking is observing, it creates distance with your object of thought. Living is merging, being one with what is.
Have you ever found yourself lost in your own thoughts, dwelling on what could be or what might have been? It's like standing on the shoreline, watching the waves crash against the rocks, but never truly feeling the cool embrace of the water on your skin. That's the essence of the wisdom encapsulated in those words: "Thinking is not living."
Think about it: when you're lost in thought, you're merely an observer, separated from the richness of life by a thin veil of contemplation. It's like being a spectator at a grand performance, but never stepping onto the stage to dance in the spotlight. Sure, you might analyze every step, every movement, but you'll never truly experience the exhilaration of being part of the show.
Living, on the other hand, is about diving headfirst into the ocean of experience, letting the currents carry you where they may. It's about immersing yourself in the moment, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face, the softness of the sand beneath your feet, the laughter bubbling up from deep within your soul. Living is about being fully present, fully engaged, fully alive.
Imagine life as a grand tapestry, woven from a myriad of threads - each thread representing a unique experience, a fleeting moment in time. When you're lost in thought, you're like a distant observer, peering at the tapestry from afar, trying to decipher its intricate patterns and colors. But when you're truly living, you become one with the tapestry, feeling the texture of each thread beneath your fingertips, marveling at the beauty of the whole.
Think of it this way: life is like a delicious meal spread out before you, with tantalizing aromas wafting through the air. When you're lost in thought, you might analyze the flavors, deconstructing each dish in your mind, but you'll never truly savor the taste. But when you're fully present, fully engaged in the act of eating, every bite becomes a symphony of flavors dancing on your tongue, every morsel a moment to be cherished.
So, how can we apply this wisdom to our own lives? How can we break free from the shackles of overthinking and embrace the beauty of living in the moment? It starts with awareness - becoming mindful of when we're lost in thought and gently bringing ourselves back to the present moment. It means letting go of the need to constantly analyze and dissect every aspect of our lives, and instead, surrendering to the flow of experience.
So, dear reader, I ask you: in this moment, are you merely observing life from the sidelines, or are you fully immersed in the dance?
* If you’re seeking extra motivation and inspiration on your journey of personal growth, I recommend taking a look at my SMART growth goals page, This page offers thousands of goal ideas that can assist in the establishment of new aspirations and the attainment of greater heights in one's life. In fact, it was instrumental in my creation of a list of 100 goals, which I pursued for a decade.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
