“KITTING AROUND”
BLOG 264—Thoughts vs. Actions
I hope to illuminate your Life with my Words.
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY OR BETTER!
*** The joy I experience in life is a marvelous thing!
*** I was hit by two trucks, but I remain happy.
*** Going through a 37-day coma–Yikes!
*** I want to help you to get the most out of life before you die.
*** If you read this through Facebook, see kitsummers.com/blog
*** I lived in my van for six years, visited all US national parks, and met Beth.
*** Beth and I were married on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
*** Thanks, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** You will find secrets to unfold and good news!
BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!
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You will have many in your life who assist and teach; I am helping to guide you. Coaches like me hope to lighten the way on your path. Remember that it is up to you to generate your journey toward excellence. I’m not trying to show you “the way”; I am trying to help you find “your way.”
I HOPE TO INSPIRE YOU WITH MY WORDS–
WORDS HAVE POWER!
Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.
Start today, and you can build the life you desire.
YOU ALREADY KNOW
You already know much about what I write, and I want to remind you of these ideas and show that my views can provide additional thoughts, along with yours, to help you.
MY EXPERIENCES
Much of what I write about is taken from my experiences; I have gone through much. I hope to spread ideas so that you can live a better life. Remember, only you know what is best for you.
EVEN IF YOU START LATE,
ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young
as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive,
and always reach for more advancement.
VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
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TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK — You Have Thoughts–You Have Actions
Something that helped me after my accident was challenging my mind to keep moving forward, no matter what. Without using our mind and body, without challenge, we stagnate. As I get older, I want to challenge myself even more.
You see, your thoughts are the seeds of your actions, so thoughts are more critical. However, your actions are thoughts already embodied in reality and are, therefore, more urgent. Think about it. You are your thinking; think right. It’s easier to see yourself as your thoughts, though.
Thoughts refer to an individual act or product of thinking, feelings refer to an emotional state or reaction, and behavior is how someone conducts themselves. Thinking should lead to action, and feelings are less important than thoughts.
We often like simplifying things, breaking them down, and making sense of them. But the reality is that your feelings and actions help you to arrive at your thoughts. Most people tend to know what they feel or believe, and then they use their thoughts to rationalize or explain this. The way to go is thoughts over feelings.
The formula should be Thoughts–Feelings–Actions.
Your thoughts generate feelings, which you then act upon. This action gives you a result. Change your thoughts, and your feelings change; change your feelings, and your actions change. Remember, you have total control of your mind.
Because actions have far greater significance than thoughts and feelings, you’ll go hungry if you feel motivated to gather food but don’t. Similarly, if you think the young lady is attractive but don’t talk to her, you have no hope of being with her.
One of the most psychologically direct ways that thoughts regulate, if not cause, behavior is through self-talk, in which internalized
observations serve as self-instructions for action—about what to do and how to do it. What you think is what you are. And be careful what you tell yourself.
You must remember that behaviors are simply the actions we take. We choose how we will behave. Conduct can be classified as right or wrong, healthy or unhealthy, appropriate or inappropriate. Our thoughts create our feelings, and our feelings drive our actions.
Think about this: The majority of our thinking efforts occur subconsciously. Only one or two thoughts are likely to become conscious at a time. Slips of the tongue and accidental actions offer glimpses of our unfiltered subconscious cognitive vitality.
It is with this thinking that I found my way back from the precipice nightmare of my brain injury. Yet, even without going through a significant change, you must still challenge yourself and keep moving forward.
WHAT NEW STORIES ARE YOU READY TO WRITE?
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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU!
Inspirational quotes and sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thoughts. They are attractive, challenging, and essential on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.
THE BURST!
Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to regain our focus, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.
BE POSITIVE!
Just as positive words can make someone smile, and a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control! You have complete control over only one thing in the universe—Your Thinking—and that’s where motivational quotes come in!
“YOU”
How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life, and it all derives from your quality of thinking. Use quotes to move ahead in your life.
SELF-TALK IS SO ESSENTIAL—THINK RIGHT!
To stay motivated, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it! Motivational words, yes, are just words. But they are positive words; they will keep you on track.
BE POSITIVE!
Positive and inspiring quotes are like beams of sunshine on a cloudy day. They inject optimism into our thoughts, brighten our mood, and help us focus on the good in life. They remind us that even in the face of adversity, we can see the silver lining and embrace a positive attitude.
PEARLS OF WISDOM
In a world filled with challenges and indecisiveness, the power of inspirational quotes cannot be exaggerated. These pearls of wisdom uniquely uplift our spirits, can spark positive change, and fuel our motivation often when we need it most.
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ADD TO YOUR LIFE >>
“There is a time to let things happen.
And a time to make things happen.”
— Anonymous
“I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
— Elie Wiesel
“The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
— Lao Tzu
“For all sad words of tongue and pen.
The saddest are these,
‘It might have been.”
— John Greenleaf Whittier
“A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.”
— Kahlil Gibran
“You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.”
— Irish Proverb
“If a man does only what is required of him, he is a slave.
If a man does more than is required of him, he is a free man.”
— Chinese Proverb
“Happiness is when what you think,
say, and do are in harmony.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
“Thinking is easy, acting is complex, and putting one’s thoughts into action is the most challenging thing in the world.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
— John Locke
“Freedom and happiness come from understanding – and working with – our limits. Begin at once a program of self-mastery. Stick with your purpose. Do not seek external approval. Do not worry about anything outside of your control. The only things you command are your thoughts and actions. We choose our response. Stop aspiring to be anyone other than your best self, for that does fall within your control.”
— Epictetus
“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results, and bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results … We understand this law in the natural world and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world—although its operation there is just as simple and undeviating—and they, therefore, do not cooperate with it.”
— James Allen
“A man’s value to the community primarily depends on how far his feelings, thoughts, and actions are directed toward promoting the good of his fellows.”
— Albert Einstein
“The worlds of thought and action overlap.
What you think has a way of becoming true.”
— Roger von Oech
“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
— Frank Jackson
WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE’S DIFFERENTIA—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!
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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
It seems like time is going by faster and faster.
You must live joyfully, daily, for each day?
Do you remember what you did last Monday?
Do you remember what you ate for dinner last Sunday?
Keep track of your doings for a few weeks; you will see your time differently.
Remember, the quality of your life depends on what you do each day.
3/16/24–It’s been years since I’ve been to a barber. In the past, I had friends cut my hair; now, I do it myself or have Beth cut it. I use a clipper to cut all my head hair, the top of my head, and my beard to the same length. It works out quite well, and I love the cost.
A woman wanted to buy a rabbit, so we were taking it to her near Greenwood. As we were driving Beth’s van out there, oh no, the engine started sounding funny, and we smelled something. Beth pulled over, and I checked the engine for a fire or something. Everything looked fine.
We drove again, and the van started losing power. After a short drive, we found a place to pull over. At this point, the engine gave little power to the van—we could barely move forward. It’s a good thing we have a towing service. We had it towed to jiminy-fixit.com/, which was on the way.
No, I didn’t drive over the tow truck guy.
And, look there, a church was right next to us.
After the truck ride, the battery was drained of power. We were right in the middle of Jimmy’s driveway, so I had to return the next day with the key to move the van. We saw Jimmy when he first opened, and I saw his growth potential. Now, there are numerous vehicles there, and he keeps pretty busy. If you are anywhere in the area and need work on your car, take it to Jiminy-fixit; he will do you well.
3/17–It seems that my tuft is going away. First, my forehead became more prominent because of hair loss. The tuft (a small area on my forehead that still has some hair) is losing hair. Will I go bald sometime?
3/18–We found out that Beth’s van is kaput, no more. We will find a way to obtain a new car for her.
3/19–Today, I received this email from a past jugglie friend. I read of Noah in an article from the Feb/Mar 2024 issue of Brain and Life magazine about juggling. >>
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Dear Kit,
I’m sorry for the delayed response. I have had your book, Juggling with Finesse, since I was a kid! We may have met briefly at the 1986 convention in Denver when I was a rising junior in high school. You inspire the community, and I’ve always admired your life and career.
Thanks for reaching out.
My best wishes,
Noah
Noah J. Cowan
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
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Hearing that my books add to people’s lives is always great. This article, “Juggling May Be Good for the Brain,” is well-written and sheds light on juggling.
3/20–Beth bought a car today!
A 2004 Chrysler Coupe.
The color says green, but it looks more grayish.
It is the same kind of car she had when we married on 2/22/22.
There was no need for three vehicles; we sold her car.
This snazzy car suits her; it is classy for an elegant lady.
3/21–We are down to eight rabbits. A nice young girl who had gotten rabbits from Beth in the past came back to look at cages and wound up taking two more home. Beth was sad about this, but it was getting harder for her to care for everything. Knowing her rabbits go to good homes is satisfying.
3/22– Today is gloomy and rainy. There is not much to do outside, though.
I work on my blog while Beth is volunteering at the local bookstore, Books On Main, an offshoot of the library. She will come home with more books to read, so I must build another bookshelf.
(https://visit.mccormickscchamber.org/list/member/books-on-main-by-friends-of-the-library-750)
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THE GARDEN THIS WEEK
You will find out weekly, “How does my garden grow.” We have a greenhouse in the house where seeds (mainly tomatoes) are planted and coming up. I will see how things go in the future and let you know. I am tending to the young plants coming up. They will get bigger and bigger. Of course, you will see photos later.
Things are popping up. I see carrots, cilantro, lettuce, Strawberries, Spinach, Broccoli, and Amaranth are popping their heads up.
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK
Work on your vegetable garden this week.
You can start from seed (lettuce is easy.)
Or buy already growing plants.
You will love gardening.
Please let me know of your progress.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE — MAKE YOUR LEGACY HAPPEN!
DO SOMETHING NEW–DAILY,
THEN, KEEP DOING IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
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NEXT BLOG >>
Easter is coming soon; find out what happens at the Summers’ household.
By the way, why are eggs and bunnies part of this day? I had to look it up, this is what I found >>
Many of us may chomp on chocolate eggs at Easter, but initially, church leaders prohibited eating eggs during the week leading up to Easter (known as Holy Week). So, any eggs laid that week were saved and decorated to make them Holy Week eggs, which were given to children as gifts.
Victorians adapted the tradition with satin-covered cardboard eggs filled with Easter gifts, which has developed into the tradition many people enjoy today. The first chocolate eggs appeared in France and Germany in the 19th Century but were bitter and hard. As chocolate-making techniques improved, hollow eggs like the ones we have today were developed.
They quickly became popular and remain a favorite tradition with chocolate lovers today. The first hollow chocolate Easter eggs to be sold were released in 1873 by a company named Fry’s.
I hope you have a fantastic Easter Day.
AND WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR YOUR UPCOMING WEEK?
