A long time ago, I read that 'You are what you think about all day long', and to me, that's as good description as any. What it means, then, is that at this very second I am a cup of coffee, my toddler's open-mouthed kiss, my computer's battery power, and the cute guy I just saw at the park.
However, these are just the things that are on my mind at this precise moment (in fact, they've already changed to the email I just received, the bit of orange caught in my tooth, and my toddler's squidgy smile).
On a more general note, what do I think about all day long? And, having asked that, what do you think about all day long? What thoughts define you as a person, separate you from me, make you who you are?
I've been trying to identify what I think about all day long, and it's surprisingly difficult. My thoughts are so familiar to me I can barely recognise I'm thinking them. It's also, obviously, very much a First World exercise. After all, if I was living in Bangladesh I'd be worried about making it through the day with enough food.
Still, it's an interesting exercise, so I'll give it a go. A list, in no particular order, and by no means comprehensive, of the things I think about.
Then maybe you can tell me yours.
- Am I a good mother?
- What happens in other people's marriages?
- Will my kids grow up to be happy adults?
- Will we be able to halt global warming?
- Will there ever be an end to the Middle East conflict?
- Does my late sister hear me when I talk to her?
- Is Nicole Kidman a fembot?
- How can I stop biting my nails?
- Why do people behave the way they do?
- Is there any such thing as ESP and if so, how can I use it?
- Will my book be a success?
- What does it mean to be a feminist?
- What would it be like to be filthy rich?
- What would it be like to be hugely famous?
- What would it have been like to live through the Holocaust?
- Will everything be okay?
