I typically take persistent thoughts seriously. If a thought won't go away, I interpret that thought as a call to action. Yesterday I did act on a thought that wouldn't go away. I expected that my action would result in a similar response, but instead I received a very different kind of response--a response that was rather cold and disturbing. What I thought was a warm outreach was received with some contempt. That surprised me. I engaged in similar outreaches some time ago and the responses were divided between a rather contemptuous response and another warm and welcoming response. If I didn't act as I did, I would never have received the warm response, and as for the past contemptuous response that eventually resulted in a kind interchange and a somewhat peaceful ending to a long term endeavor. So, in the end, I'm happy I reacted as I did.
I like a clear mind. I don't like to have persistent thoughts due to a lack of action. Instead I prefer to act with my best knowledge and abilities. I never want to move ahead knowing that there was something I could have done even if that something turns out to be somewhat disastrous or unfulfilling.
As I write about this, I remember my mom's disappointment close to the end of her life about an outreach she engaged in. She had put a lot of energy into a friendship with a person who didn't keep up with the relationship. My mom decided to let the relationship go as it was clear that the other person didn't have an interest in continuing the friendship. In time, I learned that my mom's friend was likely unable to keep up the friendship due to health issues--Mom didn't know that. It would have been nice for that person to explain that to mom. Part of me wonders if it was the person's pride that got in the way, but I suspect that it was the individual's mobility, supports, and health issues that really prevented the friendship's continuation. Mom had many friends, and though she was disappointed about this one, she didn't let it get in the way of the many friendships she continued to enjoy as she was able.
I also believe that sometimes our persistent thoughts have a purpose that doesn't involve us. I am a believer that there is much more to life than we understand. I see life as a giant puzzle and we don't always know how the pieces fit together or why events happen. If we thoughtfully and positively reflect upon and act on our persistent thoughts, I believe we contribute to the greater good in ways that we may not even understand. One reason I believe this is that I've been the recipient of actions time and again that plant positive seeds in me, seeds that result in good actions and events. Sometimes, I believe, that when we act on our persistent thoughts, we plant seeds that may result in positive actions that don't even involve us, but are positive nonetheless. How our lives intersect, I believe, is often beyond our comprehension, but if we act with good knowledge, positive intent, and thoughtful purpose, I believe that our actions are positive even if we don't receive the responses we expect.
What persistent thoughts do you encounter? Do you think of those thoughts as calls to action, and if so, what actions will result from those thoughts? Will the actions cause responses, and how will those responses affect your life.
I'm glad I acted on my persistent thought. Perhaps I misread the thought, but I acted positively and kindly, so there's no worries. Onward.
