Are Thoughts Useful Or Harmful?
The Cambridge Dictionaries Online defines thought as an act of thinking about or considering something or a set of ideas about a particular subject. The thinking process is unique to humans as they are thought to be intelligent creatures. Undoubtedly, the thinking process is beneficial to humans. Humans live in a society that needs them to abide by a certain set of principles. In an effort to live and abide by those principles, humans are expected to think about their actions. Through ideas, the human society can co-exist and address challenges that may face them. The process of developing ideas may happen at a personal level, or it may take a collective approach. Thoughts manifest in two forms; negative and positive. Positive thoughts lead to good actions while bad thoughts lead to bad actions.
First, excessive thinking is harmful to ones’ health. Thinking is part and parcel of human beings. However, studies reveal that excessive thinking harms the brain. Doctors advise that people should learn not to overindulge in thinking. Overindulging in the thought process often arises when people are under extreme stress. Over-thinking may come as a result of people living in stressful environments or when they are faced by difficult situations. It is advised that people should seek professional help when in such circumstances. Help from people close to an individual is equally important. These consequences stress the need to share ones’ thoughts. Excessive thinking and suppressing emotions resulting from the process has negative effects on the general health of an individual.
Secondly, good thoughts lead to better relationships among people and in the society. When people have good thoughts, they tend to do good things. It is impossible for people to have good thoughts and exhibit bad actions as good actions are a natural consequence of good thoughts. Good thoughts entail an individual thinking good of others, having ideas to do acts that will lead to the good of the society they live in, and to improve the environments where they live. Environments in this case refer to both the people they live in and the ecosystem in which they live. When people desist from having negative thoughts, they avoid unnecessary conflicts that often arise from bad thoughts and retaliatory actions. Developing better relationships with other human beings requires an individual to think positively in any given situation, in spite of the negativity.
Thirdly, bad thoughts result in backward and under-developed societies. Bad thoughts lead people to retaliatory acts. Hatred between individuals, countries or regions is well documented in history. This hatred has resulted in battles and wars. These wars cause major damages and financial losses to the parties involved in the conflict. Additionally, wars have caused massive losses of lives, both innocent and guilty. It is difficult, if not impossible, for societies to develop when hatred fills individuals in these societies. Negative thoughts hamper growth of economies because economic growth requires a positive contribution from each and every individual in the society.
In conclusion, positive thoughts are useful while negative thoughts are harmful to people. Bad thoughts have a negative effect to both the individual harboring these feelings as well as people close to that person. Bad thoughts lead to retaliatory acts causing wars that lead to destruction of property, financial losses and loss of lives. However, positive thoughts lead to better relationships among people and provide an ample environment for the generation of ideas. These ideas lead to the development of societies and the social good of all. Finally, it is clear that thoughts can either be positive or negative. Positive thoughts are constructive and should be encouraged while the negative thoughts are destructive and should be condemned.