Mind to Matter
A simple mural in Berlin’s structured urban setting reminds passersby of the quiet power of belief and intention.
”Thoughts become things”
– Seen on the side of a building in Berlin (photo taken on 13-07-2025)
Summary
In a colourful yet ordered Berlin streetscape, a minimalist mural featuring the phrase “Thoughts become things” draws the eye and prompts reflection, offering a striking contrast to the strict geometry of the surrounding apartment blocks and road signs.
In-Depth Explanation:
The image shows a corner of an urban Berlin neighbourhood defined by symmetry, regulation, and mid-century European architectural sensibilities. The buildings are tall, cleanly painted in bright but muted hues of yellow, orange and red, with rows of identical box balconies. The roads are heavily signposted — speed limits, right-of-way symbols, and traffic instructions all enforce a sense of control and structure. It is a portrait of urban life tightly choreographed by rules.
Against this backdrop of uniformity and external order, the wall art delivers a quietly subversive message: “Thoughts become things”. This phrase, rendered in clear white block letters alongside a cheerful smiley face, suggests a different kind of order — one formed from within. It implies that our internal world can shape our external circumstances, that belief and imagination are powerful tools of creation.
The mural’s simplicity is deceptive. It offers a meditation on manifestation, intention-setting, and perhaps even a challenge to the urban environment it occupies. In a world governed by systems and signage, the artwork whispers that human agency begins not with action, but with thought. It recalls philosophies both ancient (Stoicism and Buddhism) and modern (self-help and cognitive behavioural theory) that teach us that mindset shapes reality.
There is also a social commentary embedded in its placement: even in a regulated, economically developed, and seemingly efficient society, inner life is not only relevant — it’s foundational. The mural gives residents and pedestrians permission to think creatively and purposefully amidst the rigid constraints of modern life.
An After Afterthought
It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away.”
— U2, “Beautiful Day” (2000)
A reminder that perspective is power — even in regimented surroundings, we can choose how we see the day. The mural, set against a backdrop of colour-blocked buildings and ordered signage, isn’t there by accident; it breaks the uniformity with a message of personal agency. Like the lyric, it nudges us to notice beauty, hold onto optimism, and remember that how we think shapes what we see.
Author Summary:
The phrase “Thoughts become things” is a popular saying often used in self-help and motivational circles. While it doesn’t have a single known author, it’s linked to ideas about positive thinking and the belief that our thoughts can shape our reality. In this case, the words on the Berlin wall act as a public reminder of that idea — meant to inspire reflection in everyday life.