“All human action depends on our thoughts.” That’s Tolstoy’s message today, and it gives me much to ponder.
He says our real lives unfold when we’re alone with our thoughts. Last night I woke up at 3:40 a.m., when Poppy needed to go out. Afterward, I spent more than an hour tossing and turning and thinking while trying to fall sleep again. Reflecting on my thoughts after reading Tolstoy’s words, I do understand.
When I lie awake at night, I’m often thinking about what I should or could do tomorrow or in the future. I consider what steps I need to take moving forward, whether that’s an upcoming deadline, next week’s schedule or even where I want to be at the end of the year.
I do have some goals that I’m working toward, and I think my thoughts do help propel me toward them. I rarely share my thoughts with others, unless I’m relatively confident that I’m firm in my commitments. I’m not sure if everyone is like me, but I suppose they are. As Tolstoy notes, other people don’t or at least shouldn’t be the driving force of our actions. They can help us fine-tune them, but to be confident and happy in our direction, it’s up to us to choose the way.
Which way am I headed in 2026 and beyond? That’s still dwelling in my thoughts. There are lots of options that I’ll continue to weigh as I drift into sleep.