We are so focused on healthy, clean eating in our society today – no sugar substitutes, no GMOs, no HFCS – the list goes on. But how much do we pay attention to the diets of our minds and our hearts and our souls? I think this is a truly important question to ask, so we’ll ask it of ourselves today.
This is not a reason to panic or to throw out every media device that we own – but it is a reason to more closely monitor what we are exposing our minds to. Our brains are always on—continuously taking in data and storing it.
In order for us to be the best versions of ourselves, we need to monitor this input and regulate it.
We need to ask ourselves the difficult questions and we must stop believing the lie that we are immune to the influences of negative media.
Do the television shows and movies that you watch enrich your life or do they add to a storehouse of fear and worry? Do the books you read give you healthy mental nutrition or are they filled with empty filth?
Does the time you invest on social media help to build relationships and encourage you or does it breed feelings of mistrust, fear, envy, and negativity? Does the music you listen to uplift and inspire you or does it send you into an emotional tailspin? And what about your relationships—do the friends you spend your time with fill your mind with healthy encouragement and truth?
There are great movies and music and books and friends. Social media can absolutely be a useful and encouraging part of your life. But only if you deliberately control the diet of what you are feeding your mind.
We always have a choice.
- Exercise:
What parts of your mental consumption need to go on a diet?
What healthy alternatives can you add to your life to build proper mental nutrition?
Integral Development Forum 