Everything we do starts between the ears, in our minds, with our thoughts Tim Tebow, Mission Possible
In turning to the internet, that endless source of information most of us read with a bit of skepticism, I found that most recent studies have concluded that the brain of an average thirty-year-old will process about 6200 thoughts per day. This theory is based on brain scan tracking done at different times of day over a two-day period. Participants were tracked at rest and watching movies. Quick transitioning of movie scenes seems to trigger “thought worms” or detectable patterns of brain activity—just like thoughts that emerge spontaneously. A new “worm” is generated by each new thought allowing researchers to recognize the end of one thought and the beginning of another.
These persons averaged 6.5 thoughts per minute so if they sleep an average of 8 hours and no sleep thoughts are considered, they are awake 16 hours and the formula would be 6.5 x 60 x 16 = 6240. Bear in mind, we are talking about young adults. Those of us who are more seasoned may not cognitively process as many of these thoughts as a younger mind could.
Think about what you think about. Your problem is not your problem but the way you see it. Max Lucado, Anxious For Nothing
It’s always fun to mine for a little trivia, but the truth is we don’t really know how many thoughts our brains process every day. Even science admits that more conclusive study is needed. But we do know that our brain is a three-pound universe that is bombarded with arrows from Satan’s bow. Our days are filled with suggestions and innuendo that try to lead us down the garden path to destruction. A negative comment is made about our appearance and we begin to wonder how we can change that impression. Someone starts a rumor about job layoffs and we spontaneously begin to worry about being called into the boss’s office. The doctor’s office calls to inform us of a diagnosis and we slip immediately into worry mode. The list of negative torpedoes never ends, unless we choose to focus on the positive.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
Imagine the control tower of a busy airport. Hundreds of planes take off and land daily. They’re lined up in traffic patterns and must depend upon the person on the other end of the radio in that control tower to provide the correct data to keep them from crashing into one another with disastrous results. No one lifts a plane off the runway without expressed permission of the air traffic controller nor does one land without it.
Likewise, if hundreds of thoughts are buzzing around our heads at any precise time, we can choose to invite positive thoughts into our brains. Test each thought against the requirements of Philippians 4:8. If it meets the challenge, act on it. If not, let it die.
You can be the air traffic controller of your mental airport. You occupy the control tower and can direct the mental traffic of your world. Max Lucado, Anxious For Nothing
I suppose if I could find a wealthy benefactor willing to pay me a penny for my thoughts, assuming I’m thirty years old again and based upon a theory of having 6240 thoughts per day, I could earn $62.40 per day totaling $436.80 a week. I could then use those funds to continue Jesus’ ministry in the world by helping others. However, my imaginary benefactor does not exist and I will, therefore, need to harness random positive thoughts and put them into action. Hopefully, a sizeable percentage of the thoughts hurtling my way will be destined for endeavors that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
Your challenge is not your challenge. Your challenge is the way you think about your challenge. Max Lucado, Anxious For Nothing
You can be the air traffic controller of your mental airport. You occupy the control tower and can direct the mental traffic of your world. Max Lucado A 4 N
(Thoughts circle above us. If one lands, it’s because we gave it permission)
Guard your thoughts and trust your Father. Satan wants to leave us in a swarm of anxious, negative thoughts. He is always messing with our minds.
Your challenge is not your challenge. Your challenge is the way you think about your challenge.
(All reference from Anxious For Nothing by Lucado)
Research the number of thoughts per day each person has on average.
Cleveland Clinic…healthybrains.org (info contained here is considered untrue)
Your brain determines every aspect of your life and without your brain, there is no self and no awareness of the world.
Your brain is a 3-pound universe that processes 70,000 thoughts each day using 100 billion neurons that connect at more than 500 trillion points through synapses that travel 300 miles per hour.
The signals that travel through these interconnected neurons form the basis of memories, thoughts, and feelings.
Other resources agree that it is about 6200 per day
In a 2020 study, 184 participants with an average age of 29.4 were involved. Brain imaging scans were used to track when new thoughts began when at rest or watching a movie. Tests were performed at different times and on two different days.
These persons average 6.5 thoughts per minute so if they sleep 8 hours and no sleep thoughts are considered, they are awake 16 hours and the formula would be 6,5 x 60 x 16 = 6240. Participants in test are shown movies because transitioning events trigger “thought worms” or detectable patterns of brain activity—just like thoughts that emerge spontaneously.
Each new thought generates a new “worm” and researchers can recognize when one thought ends and the next begins.
The study may also find that a brain at rest will have fewer thoughts while during busy or tense times, the brain might feel jam-packed with racing thoughts.
