These two
terms are often used interchangeably when they mean completely different
things. Feelings are just that—emotions. I can feel angry, sad, wistful or
inspired. I can also feel cold, hungry, and sleepy. I can't feel that I wasted
my money going to see a stupid movie but I can think that.
Thoughts
are ideas in our head. I think about current events. I think the bombings in
Boston were tragic. I think I've been sitting at the computer too long.
Be
conscious of these phrases. Usually, the term “I feel” is the one that's
misused. We’re not likely to say, “I think I'm angry” or “I think I'm cold,”
but if we do, it doesn't mean the same as if we used the word feel. “I think
I'm angry” means that I'm trying to decide if I'm angry or not, whereas “I feel
angry” is a declarative sentence. Likewise with “I think I'm cold.” That
sentence implies that I may or may not be cold; I'm not sure. There is an
uncertainty that doesn't exist with the simple statement, “I'm cold.”
This is an
excerpt from Sigrid Macdonald's book Be Your Own Editor available on
Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
