Certainly you’ve heard the adage, “you are what you eat.” And our computer geeks are fond of saying, “garbage in, garbage out.” The point being in both of these sayings . . . something becomes in large part the sum of what was put into it. Good health comes from a good diet. A dependable computer program only works with good data input. (The bible was on to this when 3,000 years ago it said, “You reap what you sow.”)
It works like that with our spiritual life too. We are greatly shaped by what we think, and hear, and see, and touch. What we allow to enter through our senses creates the raw data for the kind of person we become.
So for example:
- Child psychologists tell us that hours spent watching violent images on television elevates the likeliness of children acting out violently.
- Constant attention to a hand-held game boy or ipod inhibits a young person’s ability to interact with real people.
- Nonstop images of negative, argumentative relationships create the impression that this is how people naturally interact. Yelling, whining, cursing, name calling becomes the norm. Talk Radio is full of this stuff.
- Pornographic web sites demean the human spirit and unleash a powerful darkness.
Why not put a stop to the “garbage in, garbage out” syndrome? We don’t have to drink from the media world what it calls “reality”. Their “reality” is dictated by TV ratings and advertising. They appeal to our lower instincts to get us to watch. Why not dedicate ourselves to “Goodness in, Goodness out”?
What does this mean? It means putting a guard over what we let our eyes see and ears hear. I’m being literal here. Change the channel or turn off the TV when it becomes crass or trashy. Walk away from conversations that are only meant to hurt other’s reputations. Put away the electronic games or instruments when people are present to talk to.
And in their place? . . .
- Great music
- Good books and reading
- Cook something!
- Visit someone lonely
- Take in the world of nature
- Good conversation and listening
- Hobbies are great
- At least 10 minutes of prayer each day (in a chair . . . talking/listening to God)
- Good TV or movies
This Lent perhaps we can start a new habit of watching what we see and hear. Keep those things that build up the human spirit. Reject messages of rumor, discord and retaliation.
Fr. Tim
Great Music…
Cooking…
Nature…
