A quick overview of thinking, praying, and doing
Disaster
We are all likely to experience some sort of tragedy in our lifetimes.
It’s almost a pre-programmed certainty of reality. In some way, a universal counter-balance to the abundance we have (for example, losing a home in a hurricane means you had a home). Of course, we generally prefer those events not to happen, but it’s best to prepare for when it does and cultivate a sense of gratitude for the times it doesn’t.
But when disaster does strike, we often hear “thoughts and prayers.” Quickly followed by another party saying “No! We want real change! We want action!”
“Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer.”
Madalyn Murray O’Hair
Which can be understood as a reasonable response, especially when emotions run high, pain is being experienced, and as we try to make sense of it all.
However, thinking and praying are probably two of the most powerful things we do as humans.
Thinking
The power of thought is at the forefront of all we experience as humans and is essential to our very being.
Cogito, ergo sum
Rene Descartes
(I think, therefore I am)
In some butterfly-effect understanding of the unraveling of happenstance, everything begins with a thought. There’s the “lightbulb” moment we have all seen in TV shows/movies and likely have experienced in our own lives.
Just how powerful the mind is still baffles those who study it. We still don’t fully grasp why placebos work. Cancer patients are more likely to overcome their condition if they think about their life post-illness. Anecdotally, every championship athlete cites their mind as being their best tool.
Praying
Prayer is a form of communication practiced across generations, cultures, and religions.
The best help in all situations is to pray. That is true genius, then one never goes wrong.
Søren Kierkegaard
As a practice, it can be done in many ways. But generally, it’s done in a certain manner where one would set up a direct line to communicate with a higher power. It’s a foundational aspect of most religions.
Similar to any spiritual/religious practice, the ethereal-ness of it leads many to question its validity. How does it work? Does it even work? Why does it work? A lot of fair questions. I think the short answer is: you just have to try it yourself. Talk to somebody who prays and ask them how, if any, impactful it’s been in their life.
Doing
Doing, working, or action, is the active, physical engagement in a certain task.
“Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.”
Walter Inglis Anderson
There are a lot of important distinctions to make when talking about doing, specifically doing vs. accomplishing a task – running on a hamster wheel compared to getting from point A to point B.
Imagine you and Steph Curry. Technically, you both can be heaving basketballs into the stratosphere; you both are technically doing something, but Steph’s are the only one that counts for three. Yours pollute the San Francisco Bay.
The general problem with doing is that we often don’t know what we’re accomplishing. It’s nuanced. “Why we do things” is a concept that drags anyone down the rabbit hole.
The role of thinking, praying, doing
The result of doing is there is something done. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean much. You can hunt a buffalo by chasing it for miles, wrestling it down, and putting it in a rear naked chokehold. Look at all you’ve done! Or you can plan a day, bring a bow & arrow, and hit it in the heart. Not much was done, but much was accomplished. And it probably took some time to think and pray to achieve it. The Chinese call this “wu wei” – actionless action.
Think intentionally. Pray fervently. Do the least amount necessary. That’s probably the best formula to live by.