Don't believe everything you think....

Of course we can. Everyone can -- relatively speaking -- control what they think about.

As I learned from my Mentor: "Thoughts lead to feelings, and feelings lead to actions." (Well -- that's been somewhat true in my Life.) In his book "Man's Search For Meaning" Viktor Frankl was deprived of his "freedom" and Family (they even took his wedding ring) ... However, through the power of thought, he turned the situation into something positive by looking at it like an opportunity to be retrospective of his Life.

Absolutely: I agree with that. Thanks. : )

Again: That's right. However we can also change/control our thoughts and thereby change our conditions and circumstances.

discrat understood that. And it's something People have to experience for themselves to truly understand the power of it.

P.S. A Viktor Frankl quote that I really like is: "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

The problem is trying to control things. In the complex world we live in the pilot of the plane only needs to know what he/ she needs to know to safely fly and land the plane weather the be on a runway or through an emergency landing.

I may know a good amount about several things but I know enough to be aware of how little I really know. And the compounding facts that many truths are situational .

I actually to not value forgiveness much anymore. If you list out why you are mad at most people for the non traumatic things in life. The majority of the time who they really where was different from who you imagined they where and it is you you are really angry at. Or you have a story that doesn't line up with what actually happened.

When we get into trauma that is for professionals.

We can't control but we can become aware of where the thoughts are coming from. What went into causing feeling. And through life experience and personal observations learn to avoid alter or protect ourselves from the effects of inputs..

The closer one gets to an event the less free will they have as the number of choices they have declines.

Blah blah

"I have no idea"

True words

Thinking long into the night can often be procrastination about something you need to do that worries you. Like dealing with government agencies. Not something you have control over. It often is about what if scenario's, things you did in your past that you wish you had done differently. A lot of it is worrying about something and replaying it, trying to make it easier and looking for easier and quick solutions. This sort of stuff takes up most of your thinking time.

I don't recall sitting there thinking about solutions to global warming and world problems that much. These sort of things only come up immediately after you read about them, in conversation, or perhaps feel challenged in a post to give your thoughts. So you think, answer, or compartmentalize the article you have read for a later time. The thinking about it generally stops then. If you work an average job, then generally you switch off thinking about that when you leave each day, (unless something bad happens)

People like Einstein however who's work was his passion, probably sat up night after night thinking about math problems. So then, your livelihood is all consuming to your thinking.

I hate a dream where I am doing mundane boring things that I would do in real life!

But I love a lucid dream (where you realize it's a dream) where I can control anything and everything in it.

Oh the fun!

The brain is remarkable.

beautiful quote)

That is truly a blessing. Sometimes I let injustices linger. That is not healthy at all.

Sometimes someone will do something so petty that just the pettiness itself makes me cringe.

Because my mind tries to understand it and that is like another punishment.

I respectfully disagree with you wholeheartedly. Thoughts are extremely powerful. Have you heard of metacognition?? Thats where you analyze or think about what you are thinking about. Try doing that for a little while as an exercise and you then tell me Thoughts are not powerful.

Resentment, fear , jealousy, anger , lack , etc..etc.. all revolve around Thoughts. You get rid of those negative Thoughts and you will have a happier Life.

I don't agree with anything talked about here.

But...I think...there is something to the will.

When I was a kid, I was really afraid of heights, and lightning.

When I stood at the edge of a roof (for example) I would feel a tangible force, trying to pull my off the roof. And so my Dad would find me standing on the edge of our porch roof, just looking down. I was willing myself not to be afraid. I was fighting the urge to fall over the edge.

Same with lightning. I would stand in front of the bay windows during a thunderstorm, making myself not afraid. It made me angry that I was afraid, when I didn't think I should be.