Acknowledging gifted thinkers who confront the big questions of life
“How can I face the day, knowing that one day I will die?”
“Which political part best represents my values?”
“Why do bad things happen to people I love?”
“How much control do I have over my life?“
For some; these complicated, sophisticated, and philosophical questions are an everyday occurrence.
A deep thinker wakes up, and once their mind is whirring, the questions begin.
It’s not that those capable of deep thinking always exist in the depths, rather, it’s that they are not deterred from confronting and contemplating them, day after day.
Pouring the morning coffee… “What can I do today, that will set me up for tomorrow, next month, and the rest of my life?”
Flushing the toilet… “How do people in drought conditions flush the toilet?”
Chopping carrots for dinner… “How many more sunsets do I get?
Those drawn to big questions eventually come to accept that there are rarely clear answers for the questions they entertain.
Uncertainty becomes the only certainty.
Who Are The Deep Thinkers?
Deep thinkers are everywhere. In every culture, every country, and creed. It is my experiences that many readers and writers of Medium are of this ilk, would you agree?
Deep thinkers find it difficult, even painful sometimes, to accept when an existing explanation does not fit reality as they see and experience it. The discomfort and dissonance of inconsistent or contradictory views is unbearable.
Often, deep thinkers contemplate purely for interest, not just usefulness. A deep thinker will often think about a particular topic long after a conversation has ended. Sometimes this morphs into rumination, the downward merry-go-round that is difficult to disembark.
But let me speak more on the beauty of deep thinking. A person focussed on exploring the marrow of life, is often less motivated by trends, status, or consensus. A person who routinely holds beliefs that position them against the masses, the it is likely you are a deep thinker.
The easiest path through life is to move with the crowd and vote with the majority. To not do so, and to endure the burden of social ostrasization, suggests a person has thought deeply and thoroughly about what they believe and why. And more to the point, they have forged ahead with their contrary view, despite being fully aware of the social and relational costs for doing so.
Being comfortable with solitude is also common, though not a must-do for all deep thinkers. It’s more a personal preference, where solitude facilitates uninterrupted thinking, creating, and writing.
Some thinkers begin life as a bright and curious child, navigate their chaotic teen years, evolve into a reflective young adult, and then emerging as an adult who craves understanding and authenticity.
Others are confronted with big questions not through choice, but through life circumstances. It’s usually a seismic life change that forces one to confront the big questions of life. A divorce, a significant birthday, or a death.
Why the world needs deep thinkers
In the 80s and 90s, warnings about climate change or environmental damage were written off as inconvenient fear-mongering by zealots.
The data-driven thinkers had analysed the trends, and could see clearly that humanity’s actions were warming the globe. Even the non-technical thinkers understood how plastics and rampant overconsumption would eventually lead to irreparable environmental degradation. It wasn’t until the mass media publicised floating ocean garbage islands, and witnessed devastating floods, fires, and heatwaves that the ignorant and powerful were forced to take action.
After decades of pleading to have their views heard and taken seriously, it was little wonder that so many of the scientists, writers, journalists, and social activists who sounded the alarm, experienced burnout and apathy.
What use is the ability to think deeply, if you have no power to effect change?
The Burdens of Deep Thinking
The many benefits afforded deep thinkers are not freely handed over at birth.
Nope, these benefits are hard earned over many years of toil, and often arrive only after an immense psychological toll has been paid.
Most of you will be aware that deep thinkers are far more prone to anxiety and depressive periods. This is true and global statistics regularly highlight this vulnerability. Fortunately, distress exists on a spectrum so does not always reach clinical levels. Nevertheless, mild discomfort and discombobulation are genuine possibilities each and every day for the ones that ask the big questions.
It’s understandable that deep thinkers bear a heavy cognitive burden. Honest contemplation of big questions requires a commitment to an unbiased exploration of both the best, and the worst of humankind. And the worst, is an unrelenting disbelieving abyss.
Routines: The Deep Thinkers Anchor
Here I speak directly to the deep thinkers, and to those that love them.
Your mind is a circus trapeze artist, a mountain climber, and an architecture of sky scrapers. It is capable of incredible intensity, and I know you know this. For you mind to operate at its peak, on the one hand it needs time, space, and supportive people. But on the other hand, your mind also needs an anchor.
Why does your brain need an anchor? A mind gifted with the capacity for deep and broad thought, is at risk of destabilisation, distress, and mental illness.
Yes your mind needs flexibility and freedom to think, but you must then ground your body and circadian rhythm in the simplicity of routine.
I’m talking sleep routines; awake and asleep at similar times. I’m talking movement routines; activity and exercise at similar times of the day. And wherever else you can implement a routine, be it Cup of Tea O’clock or Sit Down & Breath AM, do so.
Routines are your lifeline.
Implement them, and adhere to them religiously and unapologetically.
If someone is inconvenienced by your routines, tell them to rack off.
How The Non-Religious Survive & Thrive
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