“There is no expedient to which a man will resort to avoid the real labor of thinking.”
When I listen to the radio, watch the news or even talk to my students I am ever aware of Sir Joshua Reynold's quote. As someone who has a tendency to overthink and analyze practically everything, I am often baffled with the lack of thinking by those around me.
One of my favorite songs from The Wizard of Oz has always been If I Only Had A Brain. Near the end of the song the Scarecrow sings:
“I would not be just a nuffin’
My head all full of stuffin’
My heart all full of pain
I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had a brain”
I think the Scarecrow was right that a lot of life's pains come from not thinking through our words or our actions. How many of your regrets could have been avoided if you'd only used your brain? For me, I would say most of them!