The prisoner can’t leave his cell. But his thoughts are his.
The student must sit in the classroom. But her thoughts are hers.
The teacher must give his lecture. But his thoughts are his.
The mother must feed her children. But her thoughts are hers.
The writer must stare at his keyboard. But his thoughts are his.
The alcoholic must drink. But her thoughts are hers.
The sprinter must lose the race. But his thoughts are his.
The therapist must listen. But her thoughts are hers.
The soldier can’t see his family. But his thoughts are his.
The patient must endure the treatment. But her thoughts are hers.
The hero must make the sacrifice. But his thoughts are his.
The singer must take the stage. But her thoughts are hers.
The driver must keep his passengers safe. But his thoughts are his.
The wanderer may get lost. But her thoughts are hers.
You will not get everything you want today. You may face pain, anger, frustration, sadness. But through all this, your thoughts are yours. No one can dictate the next sentence in your mind. It is for you alone to choose.
No matter what happens, no matter how good or bad it gets, this unique, human privilege is yours for the rest of your life. You can exercise it on top of the highest mountain and inside the darkest hole.
It only takes one of those thoughts to acknowledge this gift. I can’t make you think it. Only remind you that you can. Because your thoughts are yours.
What do you think?