Talking To Myself

Sometimes I talk to myself. I know what your thinking. Psychologists have never fully understood the phenomenon of self-dialogue. Whatever may be the cause, talking to yourself is not consider normal behavior. There are times, however, when such a conversation can be helpful.
Take for instance the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible. It is a story about a young man who had a talk with himself. One day, according to the story, the young man got tired of the discipline of his father’s farm. Gathering all he owned, he ran away to a distant land where he thought life would be free and easy. Things didn’t go well for the boy. His money ran out, and he found himself in the fields, eating with the pigs. In the story there is this line, “And when the boy came to himself.” Perhaps the boy didn’t have a verbal conversation – I don’t either for those who are curious – but he did a lot of soul searching.
The boy learned a lesson. He found that his old home was better than he thought. Sometimes it takes the absence of a thing to make us appreciate it. Our freedom is a priceless possession. We cannot live without our health. Work can seem like drudgery until we can’t find work. Our families can at times seem to require endless time and effort. But life without loved ones can be lonely. The wondering boy in the story reminds us that some things we treat so carelessly are in fact our most priceless treasures.
Have you talked to yourself lately? Every now and then it helps to sit down and do a bit of soul-searching. Life could be better for many of us if we took time this Thanksgiving to reflect on all we have to be thankful. Just don’t start talking to the turkey!