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Our thoughts are often shaped by what is happening around us and how we respond to that. While reading Thoreau's iconic piece - Walden, I was struck by this 19th Century philosopher's observations about life and living and how relevant they are even in the 21st century.
I thought I'd share his very insightful take on news and its influence on our life, especially relevant today - in the age of breaking news 24x7 and fake news. Enjoy.
After a night's sleep, the news is as indispensable as the breakfast. 'Pray tell me anything new that has happened to a man anywhere on this globe' - and he reads it over his coffee and rolls.
I'm sure that I never read any memorable news in a newspaper. To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.
Pause! Avast! Why so seeming fast, but deadly slow?
When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence. That, petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality. By closing the eyes and by slumbering, and consenting to be deceived by shows, men establish and confirm their daily life of routine and habit, everywhere, which still is built on illusionary foundations.
The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions. Whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us. Let us spend our lives in conceiving (thinking up) then. Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature,and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell or mosquito's wing that falls on the rails.
If you come across any insightful piece in any media, do share it with our community. Let's spread the good news!
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