Garbage In; Garbage Out

Whatever we take in – we give out.  This reminds me of an old nursery rhyme, “whatever Miss T eats, turns into Miss T.  How we spend every minute of every day determines what we have to give out to the rest of the planet.  If your patience is strained and your outlook paled or disgruntled, you may want to look at the nutrition you are providing your mental and spiritual appetite.

The question arises as to how we spend our time and what type of criteria we “feed” ourselves.  Do you listen to positive music?  Do you read books that inspire?  Do you watch television selectively, or do you allow drama, negativity and damaging programs to be your daily “entertainment”?  Are your conversations supportive and upbeat, or is your focus on what is wrong with others and the world around you?

I made a decision a few months ago to watch more comedy on television in a desire to seek more healing laughter in my life.  It didn’t take long to realize what the world of entertainment sees today as funny is often derogatory, demeaning, abusive, sarcastic and, yes, sometimes vulgar in content.

This awareness led to a need to be extremely selective of my input.  I can’t help asking, do we really need to tear one another apart to be funny?  Does humor today require detailed information regarding bodily functions, sexuality and ethnicity in such a way that the resulting chuckles or laughter sound strained and uncomfortable?  Then why does it continue? 

The answer is that somewhere a majority is condoning this type of comedy.  That is the only way television shows, comedians and radio stay afloat.  Their work and their output is accepted, appreciated and promoted.

Our world today is so different than ten short years ago.  With a PC (or two) in 99% of our homes and a cell phone in the hands of almost everyone over the age of ten we have instant access to world events.  This includes, in addition to ‘comedy’, major news events, pictures with graphic content and stories that require discretion in viewing and audience.   When followed with family discussions we can keep these issues in better perspective and protect one another as well as the minds of our youth.

I am afraid we don’t always create the opportunity to do this.  What happens more often is that the information is shared, spread, redistributed with commentary and the “conversation” that needs to follow up never takes place. We are left with the garbage that has been dumped on us, downloaded or forwarded via transparent lines of today’s technological communication.

We have the ability to see prominent people at their worst moments in life.  We can even video or photograph a family member or friend in an embarrassing or humiliating situation and send it to hundreds of thousands of people in a split second.

And as we continue to listen and watch we find ourselves shocked, intrigued, or disgusted - - and we make a decision.  This decision is to spread this shock through our channels of communication or, to halt it, reverse it and create more positive exchange.

Each time one of us experiences the dark side of life and we take time to share it we support an energy that allows it to expand.  Let me explain further.  The energy and vibration of all life is continuous and whatever we focus on remains.  Each one of us has the ability to promote positive thought and action or deter it.  When you hear a horrific story of abuse or a popular film star childishly throwing a tantrum on international television - you are given a choice.  Keep in mind that the results of our negative banters, detrimental slams, tirades and tantrums leave lasting scars.

There is a short story I read once about a little boy exhibiting serious negative behavior. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him every time this happened he needed to hammer a nail into the back of their fence. The first day the boy drove 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, however, he became more aware of his behavior and began to manage it.  Eventually the number of nails dwindled down to zero. He had discovered that awareness and effort could alter his behavior in a positive way.

When he shared this with his father, it was suggested the boy now pull out one nail for each day he continued to own his actions. Once all the nails had been removed, father and son stood again before the fence.

The father told his son he had done well, but pointed out the lasting effect of the holes in the fence. The moral here is that our behaviors, our speech and our negative actions leave lasting scars just like the holes in the fence.

Sharing scandalous and alarming information is like this boy hammering nails into a fence. If the hammer is our desire to spread angst and the nails represent the negative stories the same thing happens any time we attempt to un-do what has been done.  There is a lasting hole, a wound on the heart of humanity.

Consider carefully who you really want to share your shocking story with - - especially now you understand your actions and your words will leave only garbage in your wake.

The choice can be to turn away from it – by seeking the positive message and share that.  This is how we become distributors of the light.  It is with this choice we create and reinforce a healing energy that uplifts and supports instead of tearing down.

I am not suggesting you stop watching the news or ignore what is taking place around you.  I am not even suggesting you avoid the internet or your favorite comedy show.  What I am proposing is that each of us take a stand for what we allow into our lives as well as what we choose to pass on.  We can make our lives richer and this world a better place when we stand for good, graciousness, love, kindness, compassion, inclusivity and peace.

When we are accountable for our every action, we become aware of those moments when a conversation turns sour, or negative.  We recognize our input and output, however brief, leaves a mucky footprint on the vibration of our being and that of others.

We have hundreds of thousands of people on our planet who need love, hope, kindness and respect right now.  We each have an opportunity to promote humanity or to damage the human spirit.

Our country has been stunned over and over again at the devastation of natural events and loss of human life.  Together we have shed tears of empathy for those who have been in harms way.  We see the impact of loss of home, health, family members, friends, communities, food sources, and basic comforts. 
What can we do?  We can focus on how to help.  We can pray for the highest and best in every situation.  And we can immerse ourselves in the inspiring stories of survival, the undaunted human spirit and the amazing miracles that abound.

Today, each of us is called to a higher path.  Whether you are an adult or a child, you can step up and support those in crises and those in need.  We can each begin by monitoring our own consumption of garbage. The next step is to develop an awareness of what we share and how we share it.  Then, as we build the energy required to rescue and support the population we begin to look at what each of us has to give.  It isn’t always about money, but it is always about heart.

You are being called to take a stand for the planet and send your positive energy out across the world.  From this spot where you are standing or sitting right now, you can begin.  You can envision peaceful solutions, rescues and rebuilding. You can send healing light and energy to any person, family, city or country.  You can do this here and now.

This week we can all let go of the garbage and spread the beauty of our hearts, the joy of living this amazing life and focus on the hope of a brighter tomorrow.