Garbage In, Garbage Out

I used this title to blog about choices of foods I put in my body, and I had to note the importance of the concept as it translates to spiritual health as well. If we are constantly consuming garbage into our hearts, minds and souls, we are just going to produce garbage as well.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It is hard to monitor the amount of garbage we allow into our lives in 2009. There are so many television shows that just focus on the depravity of humanity and expose the underbelly of the world, and they are our hit TV shows in many cases. I used to be addicted to many shows about crime, but I've been moving away from them. I can't believe they are a healthy brain diet for me.

I've stopped watching all 3 CSIs and all 3 Law and Orders, but I still watch Criminal Minds, Numb3rs and the Mentalist. Numb3rs and the Mentalist have a much more positive spin than the others, but they are still based around death, angst and crime. Even in a more innocuous packaging, a duck is still a duck.

Then there's music. I generally listen to upbeat music, but that's not to say I don't get sucked in when Carrie Underwood sings about destroying her unfaithful lover's truck or when an angst ridden rock star hopes to give hell to the woman who left him. Honestly, as I belt out those songs in my car, they don't leave me feeling dark or cynical - they actually feel upbeat to me, but could their overall message be sinking into my psyche? Maybe.

What about the people in our life who prompt us to negativity? There are plenty of those around, and it's just so easy to fall into that trap. Sometimes I'm the one who gossips or starts the negative conversations too. I catch myself, and I know I'm doing something wrong, and I feel bad about myself. I should.

It's so easy for us to spread garbage, but we should really be spreading light and joy. I have tried to spread light and joy in my life, but I know I can do MUCH better. As I mentioned in my Choosing Joy blog, I'm ordering red rubber bracelets with the phrase "Garbage In, Garbage Out" on it. I want it to serve as a reminder to me that if I want to produce light, and joy and healthiness from myself, I need a steady diet of light, joy and health.