Better than leaving blank space.

If I were raising a child today, I'd encourage him/her to keep a journal. Preferably a daily journal. To record one's thoughts. Not just events and happenings. But actual thoughts. Genuine thoughts. Philosophical and otherwise. Because I suspect that ordinary human beings don't think nearly enough. And if they think, they may not remember what they thought a moment ago. Much less last week or last month or last year. Thoughts can be fleeting. We all probably have symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Doesn't mean we have Alzheimer's. Only that we have the symptoms. Mainly forgetfulness. Or even worse, rarely or never bothering to genuinely think. I know people who have problems. Serious problems. Physical. Mental. Emotional. But they don't deal with the problems. They just live with 'em. Because they don't think. About solving the problems. I try to get some of my acquaintances and friends to see their non-thinking dilemma. And I encourage them to talk about the subject of thinking. In the hope of triggering genuine thought. Reflection. But some of 'em don't wanna think. Because it requires too much energy and effort and discipline. Anyway, that gets back to journal-keeping. To record one's daily thoughts. Better than leaving blank space. --Jim Broede