Excess Thinking

It has been said that humans will have 12,000 to 50,000 thoughts per day.. The majority of our thoughts are either about the past or the future. Those who are trying to meditate for the first time, may find themselves unable to quiet these thoughts. This is because they become aware of how often they think in automation.. This is a common reason why some people find it hard to sleep at night. Or they can't sleep without the tv on because the tv will quiet their own thoughts for a time..
What is the purpose of having thoughts that won't stop? From my readings, I have concluded that it is a conditioning that the human brain uses to keep us safe.. Safe from what? Being hurt either physically or (and this is important to know) emotionally.. or safe from any real, perceived, or imagined threat.
Nearly all or ALL thoughts contain a judgment of some kind.. Do these thoughts sound familiar?
"She gossips about everyone."
"I don't want to play golf with him because he takes the game too seriously."
"That coach gives preferencial treatment to certain children."
"He is too quiet. I don't trust him."
"My job demands that I make sacrifices."
--on and on--
Every thought is an observation or a judgment of some kind..  They often bring with it a conditioned (automatic) response or emotion.   It feels normal to us.. I have heard people say, "I can't help it. It is me." But we can help it, if we can teach ourselves to begin observing our thoughts and the reactions that come with them.

Jill Bolte Taylor, a brain scientist, had a stroke that resulted in total silence. Below is a link where she is talking to Oprah.. I don't think that our 'right hemisphere' is where our consciousness is located, but rather that we become aware of our 'consciousness' in the silence itself.. But I still recommend this because of her insights on how the brain, in general, works. Also, because of what can happen when we silence our thoughts and become totally 'present'..
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TGH-J4gSK8&feature=related 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU