Are you a positive or a dark thinker?

Every time there is a multiple shooting of innocent people, whether by an adult or a student, reporters usually interview the neighbors or classmates of the perpetrator. What is amazing is that they all say the same thing. “He seemed to be a good neighbor (or student.) He went to work (or school) every day, was friendly but kept to himself. He never gave any trouble. It’s hard to believe he did such a thing.” It’s almost as though they were given a script to say. What is going on here?

We’ve all heard the expression, “We are what we eat.” We can also say, “We are what we think.”

When we are by ourselves, we are always thinking about something. Where do our minds wonder in the dark of the night or when nothing is occupying us during the day? What is the “it” that we are constantly thinking about? Whatever that “it” is, that is who we are.

If we are always thinking dark, malicious thoughts, that is who we become. Even if our exterior seems mild mannered and we blend in with everyone else, the perverted deliberations we contemplate define our true nature.

For example, if we have an excessive belief in our own abilities, we are blinded from recognizing God’s grace, leaving us prideful or vane. If we always want the traits, abilities or status of others, we become envious. If we are constantly focused on consuming more and more food or drink than is required for healthy living, we are gluttonous. If we are obsessed with obtaining sexual pleasure, we are lustful.

Likewise, if we are constantly rejecting love and thinking about how to get even with others because we’ve been hurt, we become an angry person. If our thoughts focus on acquiring more and more things and to gain riches while neglecting life’s spirituality, we are greedy. And if we look to avoid any type of work, physical or spiritual, we are slothful.

Spiritual writer Sr. Joan Chittister says, “These seeds in our souls grow in us, forms us, and become what drive us from moment to moment.”

The above categories are often called the seven deadly sins.

The respected Indian spiritual leader Mohandas Gandhi considered the following traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity: wealth without work; pleasure without conscience; science without humanity; knowledge without character; politics without principle; commerce without morality; worship without sacrifice.

All is not lost, however. Prayer is bringing our life, wherever we are, to the presence of God and seeking God’s will for our lives.

If we find ourselves hating people, then we bring that to our all-loving God and ask for the grace to let go of past hurts and freedom. A change in attitude will occur over time.

Have you ever noticed some people that refuse to let go of past hurts become obviously angry folks? Their faces and postures say, “I am angry.” We have choices in life. The question is, do we want to be free from the dark side of life or do we want to give in?

Jesus told us, “The good person, out of the good treasure of the heart, produces good, and the evil person, out of evil treasure, produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) He reiterates the point a little later in Luke, saying, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34)

Get in touch with who you are.