What is the smallest of all? An atom, a proton or a quark? Or might it be the fleeting thought that flashes across your mind? Invisible and intangible, a thought might only last a split second. Yet it is the starting point of every achievement or failure, great or small. Everything we do, or don’t do, begins with a thought. As the old saying goes, “Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

In 2003, Barbra Streisand, the famous singer and actress, was displeased when she found out that an aerial photograph of her clifftop mansion in Malibu was among 12,000 images posted on a website dedicated to documenting coastline erosion in California. She decided to sue the photographer and the website for invasion of privacy, demanding removal of the photograph. The outcome did not turn out as she wished. Whereas the image of her estate had been downloaded just six times (two of which by her lawyers) before the lawsuit, the publicity ensuing from the court case drove around half a million visits to the website the following month.

A thought of the Hollywood diva led to the decision to file the lawsuit; and from that decision arose not just much unintended publicity, but also an eponymous term in the fields of psychology and sociology. “Streisand effect” is now used to describe the phenomenon that an attempt to hide or censor a piece of information leads to the unintended consequence of spreading it. The case is not only a good example of the power of thoughts, but also a reminder that sometimes things may not go according to plan. One might argue that at least we are the master of ourselves. We can control how we react, what we do or say. But even that might just be wishful thinking. Various neuroscientific findings suggest that 95% of our thoughts, emotions, actions and decisions are driven by our unconscious mind. In fact, research has shown that our brain makes decisions seconds before we realise it. The English philosopher Mary Warnock writes, “We feel free because we act against a background of ignorance, including ignorance of our own genetic system and of the input of circumstances and environment on the computer that is our own brain.” Factors beyond our grasp, such as our genes, upbringing, culture and environment, have created a script that is individual to us. And we go through the day as unsuspecting actors on a stage called life.

To rouse ourselves from the torpor of automatic programming and to live more consciously, we need to be aware of our innermost thoughts. When a thought crosses your mind, detach yourself from it and dissect it in the way you peel an onion: the more layers you peel, the more likely you will unravel the subtle thoughts underneath. For example, when your child has failed an exam (again), before lashing out in anger, as you may be so often inclined to do, ask yourself one simple question, “Why does this make me feel so angry?” If you are honest, you will probably admit that your frustration stems not only from disappointment, but perhaps also from your hard day at work or your own experience as a child. Once you recognise that you are probably using your child as your emotional punching bag, your anger may dissipate.

As elucidated by numerous studies, cultivating a state of mindful awareness in daily life can bring a wide range of benefits, such as alleviation of anxiety, stress, depression and chronic pain. With self-awareness, one can begin to grow in self-understanding and see the underlying currents at play in our actions. What motivates you? What satisfies you? What is the voice inside your head saying when you feel angry, sad, or guilty? Lao Tzu, the Taoist sage, pointed out more than two thousand years ago, “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom (知人者智，自知者明).” Only when we start to recognise and accept our internal flaws, bias and debilitating thought patterns can we lift their grip on us and turn them around.

Carl Jung, the father of analytical psychology, observes, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Once we take the first step towards identifying our subliminal thoughts and deep-seated beliefs, we create some wiggle room that allows us to decide whether or not to follow our habitual routines. Little by little, we will be able to revise the script already written for us. So, what do you think? A penny for your thoughts.