Many years ago I was struck by a metaphor used by New Age guru, Louise Hay. Louise spoke about the importance of choosing thoughts that nourish us. In doing so, she asked us to imagine going out to a fancy restaurant where waiters carried platters of food on silver trays. What will we select from those platters? Do we choose the meal that is delectable and makes us feel good, or do we want to consume food that is rotten, making us ill? Louise tells us that thoughts are like food. We get to choose what we feed ourselves. It was from this seemingly simple idea that Ms. Hay became the reigning queen of AFFIRMATIONS, the use of positive statements to enhance our inner and outer world.
Keeping with this notion of what we ingest from day to day, I propose another area in our lives where we must become vigilant to “ingest” only that which makes us feel good. I am speaking about culture and what our culture tells us about being a woman and a human being. I have become very mindful over the years as to what I want to put into my orbit. I no longer watch films that contain violence, for example, because I am proud to say that I remain extremely sensitive to acts of unnecessary cruelty. If I see a movie where there is gratuitous acts of violence (which is 99% of all violent films, in my opinion), I am left feeling shaky and triggered. I notice that I feel more fearful and have more anxiety, even if I cannot connect the dots at the time. For what purpose, then, would I want to witness this degradation, however fictitious it may be? How does this feed my spirit and soar my soul? I can choose to seek that which elevates me or that which brings me down.
This can also be said for the many fashion and celebrity-studded magazines I consumed in my younger years. That is, until I became profoundly aware of the connection between my own negative body image and my appetite for magazines that left me feeling inadequate, confused, angry and self-hating. How does one compare with literal make-believe? How is it possible for women to feel they are enough, better than enough, when the bar for beauty, a bar that still says beauty is currency in our culture, has become unobtainable? Teenagers model clothing that we cannot afford. Models are air-brushed, digitally manipulated to appear flawless. The endless display of perfect noses, fake breasts and eyes that bare no residue of emotion become scary once we allow ourselves to break our trance and see popular culture for what it is . . . fake, false, manipulative and created for profit. When we can acknowledge the fall-out, it becomes harder to pour this negativity into our very being.
I invite you to become mindful of what you pour inside yourself. Pay attention to the images that you choose to see . . . the nightly news is not a great thing to watch, for example, as you drift off to sleep. Who wants to waste precious sleep time having images of war and devastation working through our unconscious at 3 in the morning? Better to listen to a meditation tape or read that which inspires you or makes you feel good. Then you allow your unconscious to work in your favor.
I thank Louise Hay for the transformative work she has given the world. Go to Utube and type in Louise Hay. You will see many inspiring videos to lighten your spirit and feed your soul. You can also read YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE (gift edition) which is available on Amazon and a great introduction to the power of affirmations. Louise has also made an amazing film, also available on Amazon, entitled, YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE, THE MOVIE. I promise this to be one of the best films you will ever see because of its ability to transform the way you walk in this world. It guarantees a lightness in your step and a song in your soul.
Speaking of beautiful and inspiring images to put in our path, I have recently learned of a fabulous site: karmatube.org. Prepare to have your heart open miles wide!
To yummy food, positive thoughts, and a well-lived life, each and every day.