Your Influences

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What influences you?

How much time do you spend in front of the television? If you’re a parent, how often do you allow your children to watch television? This includes video games! 

I think we should all be aware of this personal data. The answers to these questions can lead to greater self-awareness. It might lead to better parenting.

It could even raise a GPA or two!

We are all influenced by so many people and things every day. We have internal and external influences that guide our decision making. Are we clear about why we do what we do?

The answer to that question for each individual can lead to greater clarity. It can also help us to revise some of our habits. Change is good, but it can be difficult.

The technological advances in cell phones are rapid and influence much of our lives. From GPS, live traffic data, music, and movies, we can do a lot with just a phone.

I remember when I knew my friends’ and family members’ phone numbers off the top of my head. I’m not sure I can do that now. Am I using less of my brain because of this device?

Is it really helping me?

To what degree does our entire life revolve around the television? I think some people are truly trapped in the life of television. I used to be that way at one time.

I had to watch about 3 hours of programming on at least 2 nights a week! Since I quit, my library has grown significantly, and I have started to engage with my reality.

Neglect is a terrible thing. How bad is it when we neglect what’s really important in life? As we discover the reasons why we do it, the discovery can be humbling.

How much of what we consume is just plain trash? I can admit that sometimes it’s fun to enjoy a fictional moment and take a break from reality, but how much of a break do we need?

So often, we choose shows and games that are just trash and ignore more substantive engagement. This is one of the ways that we are manipulated. 

We can’t always escape our negative emotions.

Is our reality the one around us or the one we are given on tv? I imagine it’s a bit of both, but I think we can adjust our content to be more truthful. Some shows, particularly cable news, live on should and might.

Do we decide what we like? Do we really? How do we decide what’s best for us as a community? There are so many things that want our attention.

To whom do we give our attention freely? Who do we trust?