Denis Waitley, in his book Seeds of Greatness, makes this observation: "Recent studies conducted by a Stanford University research team have revealed that 'what we watch' does have an effect on our imaginations, our learning patterns, and our behaviors. First, we are exposed to new behaviors and characters. Next, we learn or acquire these new behaviors. The last and most crucial step is that we adopt these behaviors as our own. One of the most critical aspects of human development that we need to understand is the influence of 'repeated viewing' and 'repeated verbalizing' in shaping our future. The information goes in, 'harmlessly, almost unnoticed,' on a daily basis, but we don't react to it until later, when we aren't able to realize the basis for our reactions. In other words, our value system is being formed without any conscious awareness on our part of what is happening!" (Seeds of Greatness, p55)
As Mr. Waitley points out, our actions are a direct result of what we feed into our minds. As our minds dwell upon repeatedly upon a thought, we are ultimately motivated to act upon those thoughts, which is why the Brethren are so deeply concerned about the type of entertainment we view or listen to.
HOW DO WE CONTROL THOSE THOUGHTS?
Mr. Waitley indicates that our thoughts are being affected in a subtle manner. He continues, "What if you and I could switch TV channels to one inside of our own head, in which our minds were cameras instead of receivers? What if we scripted, produced, casted, rehearsed, and broadcast our own programs...?" (Seeds of Greatness, p55)
Mr. Waitley is counseling us to take a positive approach in directing our thoughts. There are so many influences in the world that are negatively affecting our thoughts and imaginations. What things can we do to script positive thoughts?
Hold to the rod: Become familiar with the teachings of the Lord through his prophets and then do them.
Prayer: What better way to script our thoughts than through He whom we are trying to become like.
Good works: When we are actively involved in doing good, vain imaginations are not being provided the space to flourish.
President Ezra Taft Benson said that people who are "captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ.... Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians." (Ensign, Nov 1985, p6-7)
As Mr. Waitley points out, our actions are a direct result of what we feed into our minds. As our minds dwell upon repeatedly upon a thought, we are ultimately motivated to act upon those thoughts, which is why the Brethren are so deeply concerned about the type of entertainment we view or listen to.
HOW DO WE CONTROL THOSE THOUGHTS?
Mr. Waitley indicates that our thoughts are being affected in a subtle manner. He continues, "What if you and I could switch TV channels to one inside of our own head, in which our minds were cameras instead of receivers? What if we scripted, produced, casted, rehearsed, and broadcast our own programs...?" (Seeds of Greatness, p55)
Mr. Waitley is counseling us to take a positive approach in directing our thoughts. There are so many influences in the world that are negatively affecting our thoughts and imaginations. What things can we do to script positive thoughts?
Hold to the rod: Become familiar with the teachings of the Lord through his prophets and then do them.
Prayer: What better way to script our thoughts than through He whom we are trying to become like.
Good works: When we are actively involved in doing good, vain imaginations are not being provided the space to flourish.
President Ezra Taft Benson said that people who are "captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ.... Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians." (Ensign, Nov 1985, p6-7)
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