Sunday, May 23, 2010

Stinkin' Thinkin'

When I was a kid, I did my best thinking, sitting on the curb. I don't know why but there was something about watching an ant carrying a piece of a leaf down the street or watching the water rush to the gutter. It mesmerized me and put me in a state of collecting my thoughts.

I didn't realize that at 6 years old, I didn't have much to really worry or think about. I mean, I didn't have clothes bulging out of my closet or every toy I wished for, but I was content, loved and happy. Because I was happy though, I decided that my thinking wasn't going to be wasted on just me, that I was going to think until I came up with solutions to save starving children and to find homes for orphans and to find a house for every animal that didn't have a home. I would sit on that curb and think of a solution. I didn't always think alone either. My twin sister would also think with me. Together, we would think separately, and then together. One of us would burst out with an idea and the other would form the idea into an even bigger idea until we both felt so powerful by the thought that we'd rush to make it happen.

One day, we decided to become entrepreneurs. We didn't quite know what it would take but we knew that we could be successful. We got tangled costume jewelry from an uncle that managed a drugstore. It was going to be tossed so we decided to turn that junk into profits. First, we untangled and fixed the junk, I mean, treasures. Then, we decided to advertise and get the word out.

Unfortunately, we lived on a cul-de-sac so we decided to scope out the prime spot to hang up our sign. The house at the corner of the street had a tree that faced the street. We just knew that it would be prime advertising. So, we got a nail, a hammer and our "Jewlry (sic) for sale" sign and walked to the house. Bam, bam! We hammered the sign. Stood back and looked at our craftsmanship and then went back home to wait for the customers to line up in our yard.

Needless to say, we didn't make millions. In fact, we probably had only about 5 customers (all of them sisters from one house) until we were busted for nailing the sign on our neighbor's tree. I guess we didn't think that our neighbor would mind us borrowing her tree. Wrong!

That's what's wrong with stinkin' thinkin'.

Zig Ziglar says, "We all need a daily check up from the neck up to avoid stinkin 'thinkin' which ultimately leads to hardening of the attitudes."

We had the right attitude but we didn't check from the neck up to see if our thinkin' was foolproof.

I'm in a season of thinking. It's like a restlessness in my soul that pulls me away to sit on the curb and think. Although, I no longer sit on the curb, figuratively speaking, I sit on the curb even when I'm laying in bed at night or baking cookies or driving without music playing on the radio. In my thinking, I'm not thinking alone. I feel God saying, "Aha! You finally figured that one out!" or "Keep on thinking, you're getting pretty close to figuring this one out." Then, there are those times when I think and put pieces together and they fit and I feel the elation of completion.

Where do you do your best thinking?

19 comments:

ethelmaepotter! said...

What a terrific story!

I love the fact that you and your twin wanted to save everyone and everything. I used to daydream along the same lines - I lived on a huge tropical island and traveled every night into animal shelters, bringing them back to my island, where they would live a life of tropical splendor. And I drew up plans for a entire secretive underground village - a village with a series of impenetrable secret tunnels leading to Nazi concentration camps, and my team and I would go on nightly rescue missions and bring the Jewish people back into our little village to live until the Holocaust was over. I drew plans of the houses, the shops, the little medical center, the streets, even the utility centers!

As for my best thinking, I find I'm at my mental best while I'm driving home. I often get stumped during the night on some little something that will drive me almost insane, and then, about 10 minutes down the road (usually in front of the Opryland Hotel) - VOILA! the answer jumps out at me!

And our million dollar idea when my sister and I were young was to make our fortune selling potholders - maybe you remember those little plastic looms and cotton loops? We didn't do any better with our business than you did yours!

Mari said...

I love that story. I also think it's great that even as kids you and your sister were so caring.
When I'm trying to think, I often will lay on my bed. It's quiet and no one bothers me there. Another place to think is in the car!

Buckeroomama said...

Nowadays, I do my best thinking when both kids are off to school and the house is all quiet. Late nights work, too, but sometimes all I want is to curl up on the bed with a good book.

Formerly known as Frau said...

When I'm asleep...never can remember in the morning though.

Ina in Alaska said...

I think my best thinking occurs when I am driving too as some of the other commenters have mentioned. Also when walking the dogs. xoxo

Tiffany said...

I do my best thinking sitting at the kitchen table. I have told myself I need to stop sitting in my bedroom and instead make my way to my clean kitchen and breath the fresh air coming from my open door in order to get my mind running.

Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany

Kwana said...

I'm not sure. I need a new spot. Lately my thinking has been off. I'm moving to the back porch maybe.

Deidra said...

I definitely do my best thinking (and praying) in the shower. I think there's something about the moving water, and when you talked about watching the water running the gutter I could totally relate to that.

You have a big heart, Simone. Your story shows that you always have.

Andrea said...

I have an urgent prayer request at arise 2 write.
andrea

Stacy said...

That was a really good story! I think everyone has done something similar.

My best thinking happens in the car (since I spend so much time there) and on the porch swing.

Covnitkepr1 said...

At my age...it hurts to think.lol
I’ve enjoyed looking over your blog. I came across it through another blog I follow, and I’m glad I did. I am now a follower of yours as well. Feel free to look over my blog and perhaps become one as well.

Heart2Heart said...

Great post! It's the second one I've come across today on watching our attitudes. It's funny how they can sprout legs and really go for a run if we let them.


Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Liz Mays said...

I do some pretty good thinking while I drive. My worst thinking happens right before bed when I'm falling asleep. Everything I think of then is absolutely ridiculous when I think back on it in the morning!

Diva's Thoughts said...

I do my best thinking while driving in the car actually.

Joanna Jenkins said...

That was a great story CCD. Very well told.-- Clearly you were a big thinker from a very young age!

My best thinking is probably when I'm in the car-- alone.... or on the treadmill which isn't nearly often enough.

Keep up the good work.
xo

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I think best in bed or in my recliner, when it's quiet in the house and I can hear the birds singing outside.

I enjoyed the story and the early entrepreneurial efforts of the twin sisters! So charming!

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed this post. I don't know when I do my best thinking...probably when I"m blogging. I don't have much quiet time or time to myself, so....maybe once the girls start kindergarten?!!?

Mandy said...

You continue to amaze me and make me laugh with your posts. "Stinkin' Thinkin" -- you need a patent on that phrase my friend. I somehow picture Little Rascals when I think of you and your sis on the curb with your sales. :-) Great story!

I do my best thinking when I'm lying in bed or sitting outside on my patio in the quiet. I also do a lot of thinking while I'm driving which isn't good since I can't write it down right away! But yes, I'm always thinking up new ideas.... it's the follow-thru that I struggle with at times.

Unknown said...

and i meant to also say i'm nostalgic for those candies called Mary Janes...do you know those? i LOVE them!

 

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