“I think it’s very dangerous to think about anything.” – Jeremy Irons

Huh?!?!

Watching a recent episode of Tavis Smiley online – My mouth dropped as actor, Jeremy Irons, used this phrase. He was answering a question about the value and importance of his voice, to his acting career success.

“I don’t think about it. I think it’s very dangerous to think about anything. I mean it’s just part of the instrument I use to emit emotion.” 

Then he goes on to tell a joke of how to ruin a young actor’s career by getting them to think about their own voice. Wow.

So, what do you think? If you dare to do such a dangerous activity??

In context, I believe he meant that to overthink or to be constantly aware of his voice would have been a distraction. It would shift his focus out of a free and natural acting moment, and into a worry-mode about the certain pitch or depth of his voice.

It really would be dangerous to think about how he is sounding, while attempting to deliver an authentic performance…

Wow.

I needed that advice. I do spend time Thinking.

And…

Thinking (worrying), Thinking (contemplating), Thinking (endless mental circles)…

Is not Action. It’s not progress. It’s not (dare I say it) helpful 🙂

Is Mr. Irons exactly correct?

Is Thinking Dangerous??

YES. In and of itself, it is. It can consume and destroy. It cannot produce without physical expression. It is an impotent activity of self abuse, when done alone.

AND, (Double – hardy har, har) The Irony (HA!) is not lost on me that his quote says:

“I THINK, it’s very dangerous to think about anything.”

Yes, of course I’m not suggesting to our under-aware world to quit all of their mental processes, and become automatons.

But I will say that I am too often, in contemplation and insight. I am too rarely in action and movement. Experimentation and games and play is much healthier and produces results and is FUN!

Mental circles. The past. An imaginary negative future. Are all wastes of energy.

Okay, Thank You once again PBS. Thank You Tavis and Mr. Irons, for the (I can hardly contain myself!! Irony!!!) of this statement that stuck in my brain, and I will create as practice in my life…

Oh, by the way, this academy award winning actor didn’t say anything new…

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:31-33

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful”
Mark 4:18-19 (notice worry leads the list with greed and coveting)

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7

Thanks for checking into this weird world today – May you take this concept, skate quickly through the thoughts on it, and act today.

– Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols

Here is the video – the quote comes at 7:30(ish)

Watch Actor Jeremy Irons on PBS. See more from Tavis Smiley.