A thought experiment — literally

Do we control our thoughts? Or do our thoughts control us? Or is it that maybe, external factors control our thoughts? Does that mean that we are our thoughts or we aren’t?
Simply put, thoughts aren’t simple. They’re complex. Your mind is a canvas with weird paintings we call thoughts, but it’s difficult to pinpoint who paints these? Is it us painting them the way we like? or does the color splatter over it from all different directions?
Let’s see how in control of your thoughts are you!
Don’t think about an elephant… You know, those big, greyish cute thingies… Yes, don’t think about them!
Oh you are thinking about them?… Oops, too bad, let’s try again! Maybe you weren’t prepared you know.
Don’t think about dolphins… Those water thingies that squeak and people call them cute!
Are we good this time around? Oh, not? Let’s see if we can try again!

Alright, so last one, seeing the little cute above? Don’t imagine it being as big as an elephant and with a trunk! I mean why would you wanna imagine that!?
You did??? Oh well…
Thoughts aren’t simple. They’re complex. You aren’t your thoughts (yes, that might be liberating to hear) but rather you are a mere gardener who also happens to be a bystander. A bystander to what yourself and others plant of thoughts in your mind! You can’t always control what’s planted, but rather what is watered, nourished, nurtured and grown into a tree. A fertile land, our minds, can never quite be empty. If you (or others) don’t plant pretty flowers in it, it will grow weeds. And weeding it isn’t as simple as any other garden. You have to plant flowers before you weed it because it can never be empty!
One knows dieting is good for one’s physical health. But dieting on specific kinds of thoughts is also good for your mental health! Just like how you won’t pick up that rotten bread from the side walk and eat it because why not, also, you shouldn’t be letting everything be planted in your mind. And if it’s planted just like the elephants above anyway.
Then just remember, you are not supposed to water it!
(P.s. think of an elephant the next time you see a cat)
