Thinking and Overthinking

I saw Dick Cavett interview Henry Kissinger and Cavett remarked how amazing it must have been for K to be privy to the flowery historical discussions analogies Presidents must make during crises at the White House. Kissinger responded, no, Mr. Cavett, Presidents are atheletes - not intellectuals - they act and rationalize it later.

The type of "Fear" expressed in the episode is a psychological frame of mind - and subjective (not objective). Like in a lab - controlled roller coaster ride, and not like facing an ocean Tsunami - where there the danger is genuine. But more important is Lori's final advise - where truly good decisions should be thought out - when the individual is in "One" with the Creator and the Universe. As the word indicates - Uni (uno or one) - verse (song) - when you are in one song(in harmony). And after the decision - you are left to follow up with "action" (and no "Over-Thinking"). Like a concert pianist - who rehearses and rehearses, but at the performance - he doesnt think anymore - and just performs.....he allows his entire being to "flow with action" in harmony and in "one song". There you were -with feet dangling freely in the wind over a deep canyon - you kept your "Faith"....and enjoyed!

Hi,/Shalom its my first time visiting Lori Live(almost) and loved it. It was nice to hear a womans' wise words.also...and actualy when it comes to thinking I think women tend to have more of a problem with... overthinking. and so doJews in general-a cultural trait! I thank you Lori for such wise words. all my life I have been struggeling with making decesions and it often seemed more urget to decide when, I am "charged" with emotions and the topic is close to heart... its been such a strong part of me that I was not fully aware of it! I will keep this advise close to heart-life is too short for us to miss opportunities due to overthinking and worrying and too short for us to rush into important decesions,actions while our thinking is "fogged".

It's a complex subject. I do not agree with the popular view. I think that our children deserve respect for their fears.

I was just thinking about how to deal with anxiety attacks and then came across this lesson. It fits so well and was delivered so beautifully. Thanks Lori.

I need to think about this. ;-)

I think the message is good but the metaphor is bad. Why? because I do know plenty of people, myself included, who have done just this, have taken the plunge. And the effect was not beautiful. I have a fear of heights, meaning I am not one of those people who go up high on those very tall waterslides and then allow myself to take what others say is an exhilarating ride. I also don't like speedy rollercoaster rides. They scare me. And yet, Yes, I have done this, and I have even been dared to do this, so I did. I didn't have a great time. I was terrified. I remained terrified and was glad to be back on terra firma. So this analogy wouldn't have worked if the results had been different. And I think maybe it's not so good to be pushed, always into not thinking and to be told it will be good for you. Sometimes we get into a lot of trouble in life with that philosophy. So YES and, NO.

a person said something to his friend . the friend keeps thinking why did he say that to me thinking the whole night till the next morning he so upset. and really the friend didn't meen any thing by it (Rabbi Nachman)

You cruel, cruel, Imah. You didn't say how old your daughter is. Rebbitzen, I love your Almost Live video's and watch them whenever Aish.com has them on. Best wishes for the new year, from Claymont, Delaware

It's important to have a balance of thought where we don't think too much or too little. A few things I have learned about thinking is knowing not just what to think, but HOW to think. And, when it comes to coping with a situation encountered, not only is there fight or flight, but there is also "freeze" where we overthink about the situation and replay it in our head constantly and even longer than the actual incident occurs.

Thank you Lori for more good advice. Your listeners might also like to consider, When contemplating a job or chore to be done, don't think too much about it or agonize about it. Tomorrow when it's time to start the actual work you will be mentally weary and tired of it already from having done the job so many times in your head. Again thank you for great advice. ------------------------------------------------------------ Also, my thanks to all at Aish for the wonderful and insightful words I've enjoyed hearing here for the past several years. I hope to visit Aish in Jerusalem and to join in thanking all who have contributed to this great sharing of information and of unity between all Jews everywhere.

How often do all of us overthink on the silliest things in life? If we would only take that energy, and use it for positive actions, we would all get so much more accomplished than ever before. I love your words of wisdom. Maybe next time you can try scuba diving, if you haven't already. Just an idea, All the best.