We become what we receive

Sometimes I like to listen to my iTunes playlist while I’m driving and this morning was no different. It was a glorious morning – sun shining, warm and God showing off his masterpiece through the fall foliage.  On days like these I like to listen to, what I call, “feel good” music.  Songs that lift my spirit even further. For me that’s James Taylor or Christian singer Chris Tomlin. If I’m feeling more “Zen-like” then its Snatam Kaur (I actually like to listen to her while I journal).  Today James Taylor was my choice.  At one point in my travels his song, Shed a Little Light came on.  As I listened to the message of the song, I began to think about how my life has changed and how keenly aware I’ve become of my role in “this place” and what really matters.

The thoughts started flooding my mind.  As I organized my thoughts, I realized that the closer I draw to God and the more I focus on my relationship with Him, the more my tastes change.  What do I mean by this?  My taste in entertainment, extra curricular activities, clothing and people changes.  For example, in the past I could listen to all kinds of music – hip-hop, rap, rock, soft-rock, classic rock – you name it, I’ve listened to it (including the uncut versions). Very rarely did I listen to any Christian tunes, although I was “practicing” my faith.  I could watch any type of television program – comedy, drama (full of foul language, nudity and violence), reality, etc. Although I preferred a classic wardrobe, I would deviate once in a while to purchase the latest fad.  When it came to people I surrounded myself with, I very rarely paid attention nor did I really care to notice the effect someone’s energy had on my life.  Extra-curricular activities usually involved going out for drinks with friends.  I’m noticing lately that all these things no longer sit well with me.  Today, I would much rather curl up on the couch with a good book, write an inspirational blog, watch movies and listen to music with positive messages – Christian music included (actually preferred).  My extra-curricular activities include kayaking at the lake, taking my dogs out to play or chatting with my husband over a cup of coffee.  I prefer to live in my yoga pants and a sweatshirt and I refuse to keep company with people who drain my energy even though I may love them (I understand there’s a difference).   Don’t get me wrong, I can still sit in front of the television and watch a show like “Scandal” but I notice a loss of interest, I’m not engrossed, I’m fully aware of the fiction.  I even find myself getting up in the middle of it to do dishes or laundry.  Why the conflict I wonder?

As I continued to ponder my new reality throughout the day I thought: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!  I believe we all learned that concept in elementary school, right?  It boils down to this:  if you eat a healthy diet, your body will be healthy and vice versa.  Well, it seems to me that the same holds true for our souls.  WE BECOME WHAT WE RECEIVE!  For those of us who are religious that means when we receive the body and blood of Christ, we become more like Him.  However, in the secular world that means, when we receive good, positive, wholesome, honest and wise messages through entertainment, people and activities, we become good, positive, wholesome, honest and wise individuals thirsting for more of the same.  When we receive bad, negative, impure, false and foolish messages, our hearts become hardened, desensitized, callous, misled by the things of this world, unaware of our connection to all of creation and how our actions impact it.  The good thing is there’s always room for change – it’s the only constant in this world.  Pay attention to the stirring in your heart.  What is it telling you?  Are you happy with what you’ve become or does your spiritual diet need detoxing? Awareness is the first step to transformation.  Be aware  or as Pope Francis says:  “WAKE UP!”