There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so!

 There Is Nothing Either Good Or Bad But Thinking Makes It So

Shakespeare - Hamlet - Act II

Hamlet is musing that Denmark is a prison for him.  Rosencrantz says that it isn’t a prison, but Hamlet says the line that “there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so”.

*****

Our thoughts make us what we are.  There are those who believe the earth is flat, those that believe that man has never been to the moon, those that believe that love will (eventually) win.  

I have commented before on how I used to judge people on their thoughts and beliefs.  Who am I to judge them?  There are many that believe an angel appeared with golden plates to a person in upstate New York that started a religion.  There are many that believe that God came to Earth as a person and was killed and then came back to life.  There are many that believe that they are justified by hating others.  There are many who think marijuana should be legalized.  There are many who think gays, lesbians, transgender, and others are wrong (and going to hell).  There are some who think all people currently should wear masks and isolate themselves - and (unfortunately) those who disagree with that!!!  And, there are those who think “Black Lives Matter”.

Of course, we can disagree with Hamlet on this statement.  I think in history there have been those who say “I think murder is good” (or maybe more specifically “I think concentration camps and murder of Jews is good”.  Others may have said, “I think flying airplanes into tall buildings in New York City is good”.  Maybe that is where the thinking crosses into action.

Thinking of jumping off bridges into oncoming cars is probably bad - and then acting on that thought is worse. (maybe the jumper gets what he or she wants - quick death; but the nightmare of closing highways, police investigations, etc is very bad).  

We are now in a world where statements of hatred seem to flourish. Voltaire (French philosopher) said ““I wholly disapprove of what you say—and will defend to the death your right to say it.”  So, am I okay to yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater (when there isn’t a fire)?  What if words hurt others such as “I hate policemen”, or “I hate Blacks” (I didn’t want to use the word that is something thrown around.  “I hate gays” (or “I hate faggots”).  Freedom of speech might exist - but thinking people need to "turn on their brain before opening mouth".

We are rapidly moving into the President Election process.  The primaries are over - the two major parties have selected their candidates.  I already am seeing Facebook (my major social media platform) posts where mud is being slung.  

Maybe it is the season, and I just have to get used to it.

A couple of quotes: \

“My freedom ends where your freedom starts.” Dr. Martin Luther King.  Can that also apply to my thoughts?  Are thoughts private?  

Maybe Hamlet is justified in thinking whatever he wants - we do say ‘we are in a free country’ - but I’m not sure that is always true.  I bet if I was asleep in a Wendy’s drive-through and very drunk, that I’d still be alive.  Of course, we can think whatever we like in our own houses (can’t we)? 

I think (and say and act) as if LOVE will WIN.  I do love - and try to live that way.

My second quote of the day comes from Martin Niemoller, a German theologian who was imprisoned by Hitler.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Maybe a new version might be:

“First they came for the blacks and I did not speak out - because I wasn’t black.

Then they came for the aliens trying to enter our country and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t an alien trying to enter our country.

Then they came for the transgenders and I did not speak out - because I wasn’t transgender.

Then they came for the gays and lesbians and I did not speak out - because I wasn’t gay or lesbian.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.”

So, There Is Nothing Either Good Or Bad But Thinking Makes It So - might have worked for Hamlet (as he thought of his Father’s death) - but we need to set our thoughts on good things - on love and being positive!!!

Hugs!!!

Karen