Think, Think, Think

How many times have I seen the AA slogan "Think, Think, Think" on a meeting room wall and thought to myself:

"That is the worst motto ever... for me!"

If there's one character defect I continue to wrestle with, it's over-analyzing—thinking obsessively, whether inside the box, outside the box, or inventing a brand-new box altogether.

A line from Shakespeare's Hamlet has always struck me — and sometimes tripped me up:

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” — Hamlet (Act 2, Scene 2)

If thinking holds such power, then for someone in recovery, thinking can feel like a double-edged sword. At times, my thoughts are not my allies—they’re obstacles.

So how do I move forward?

Filtering Thoughts with Wisdom

The answer, perhaps, lies not in whether we think, but in how we filter our thinking. 

Willie Nelson said it simply: "Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

The consequences of our thinking matter. Repetitive, negative thoughts can drain our hope and peace. But practicing positive, grounded thinking can shift our mood, our behavior, and even our experience of daily life.

Which brings us back to that AA slogan:

"Think, Think, Think."

On its own, it may be overwhelming. But paired with other AA principles — "Easy Does It," "Keep It Simple," "One Day at a Time" — it becomes part of a balanced approach. Sometimes it takes a whole toolbox, not just one tool. Or as a friend of mine puts it:

"One size fits none."

Wisdom Across Time: Here are a few other voices that help me shape healthier thinking:

Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace: "The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience."

Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov: "Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him."

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations: "You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

René Descartes: "It is not enough to possess a good mind; it must be applied."

Proverbs 4:7: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

2 Nephi 9:28–29 (Book of Mormon): “…When they are learned they think they are wise… But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.”

In Conclusion: Thinking is not the enemy.

It’s the orientation of our thoughts—spiritually grounded, humble, and positive—that makes all the difference.

When we align our minds with wisdom, truth, and grace, we create space not for obsession or fear, but for joy and recovery.