this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2023
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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And the odds of that happening doesn't change whether you chose to 'pray' for it or 'manifest' it.

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[–] Lazylazycat 27 points 1 year ago

Yeah agreed, I guess it's prayer rebranded for people who wouldn't necessarily be religious otherwise.

My parents have fully bought into it and it's taken over their lives. They're constantly focusing on their ideal future rather than enjoying what's in front of them and it makes me sad.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Be honest:

Who do you think is more likely to hit the game-winning free-throw?

  • a guy who looks at the hoop thinking “aw crap I’m gonna airball, and everyone is gonna laugh at me”
  • a guy who looks at the hoop thinking “okay I’m gonna swish this, and my whole team is going to celebrate”

Many top-achievers describe the power of visualizing success (positive manifestation).

Many people who pray are cultivating healthy virtues (patience, kindness, strength).

Have you ever heard the term “self-fulfilling prophecy”?

[–] Dblock1111 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

“The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right.”

— Confucius

[–] RGB3x3 4 points 1 year ago

"They don't think it be like it is, but it do."

— Oscar Gamble

[–] rockerface 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Placebo effect is real. So is the opposite. Not in the way that it magically changes the universe, but it can influence your own body

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

A friendly thought for you:

If your beliefs can change your body (which is part of the universe), and your changed body can further change the universe...

then transitively... your beliefs can change the universe, right?

And if that is true, then perhaps belief can be more than a placebo... Maybe it is a real, effective, psychological muscle.

[–] rockerface 1 points 1 year ago

I mean, placebo is still a placebo. My point was that a placebo doesn't automatically mean 0% effective. I'm not using it as a negative term here. But I do get your point, I think.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

I hadn’t really heard of the new technique of “manifesting” until now. I read this for an explanation. It does sound very similar to the mindfulness practiced through prayer.

At least from my perspective, the difference being that prayer includes other things like thankfulness, asking for forgiveness for mistakes I have made, etc. I think prayer is a bit more “complete.” I also believe there is a huge advantage to acknowledging that we are simply not in control of everything that happens in our lives. That sounds like a lot of pressure to assume your success is only dependent on your actions.

I am all for people finding ways to healthily better there own lives. If manifesting fills that niche for non-religious people, it seems like a good thing.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Shorter version: Manifesting is just praying with extra steps.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I only believe in manifestation in the sense of "if you say we're slow and we get busy I'll kick your ass" stuff.

Don't tempt fate essentially.

[–] TheBananaKing 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

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