Ladylikeness 3: the battle for your mind

“Ladies protect their hearts and minds from darkness.”

That kind of stuff doesn’t bother me.

Of course, it does. Darkness bothers everyone.

At least...it should.

Writers and directors introduce elements of darkness (sometimes in excruciating detail) in movies and TV for that very reason: to disturb. Even shock. To entice. Then numb. Eventually, we accept it without a second thought, which actually is disturbing.

And now we’ve come full circle.

Entertainment is not the only place darkness weasels into our life, but it’s a top contender. So, today, let’s examine the sacred cow of entertainment.

Instead of viewing this subject from a right and wrong perspective, let's look at it from a what is healthy and what is harmful perspective. How does our entertainment affect our outlook? Shape our thinking? Impact our emotions? Does it encourage us to greater peace in life, or rob us of it entirely?

The answers to these questions are why ladies choose the influencers in their life wisely. Not just entertainment, but entertainment also. It's too significant of an influencer not to need honest assessment.

Ladies know the words they hear, the things they see, the thoughts they entertain, shape their attitude. Like whether or not they are contented.
Or joyful.
Optimistic. 
Or energized.

Ladies know a hopeful heart and positive mind can be the difference between living their life victoriously or living it defeated.

HOW TO PUT THIS TRUTH INTO ACTION:

For lack of a better term, let's call this the “Heart/Mind Personality Test.”

After consuming any entertainment (movie, TV, book, social media video, play, radio program) this week, take time to consider how it impacted you.

Example: if there was gore or extreme violence, how did you feel when it ended? Did you have trouble sleeping?
If it was salacious or crude, did any images replay in your head? If so, how long before they left?
If it was dystopian or depressive, did it affect your general outlook? Did you feel worried or concerned or fearful sporadically through the week? Did you have less patience, a sharper tongue, or more annoyance? 

Alternative Example: if you viewed anything encouraging, heartwarming, lighthearted, or family friendly, how did you feel after? How did that story impact you the rest of the week? Did you feel more hopeful, more positive in other aspects of your life? Happier? Lighter in spirit? Less mentally burdened than usual? Or did it have no impact at all?

This isn't about creating shame or blame concerning our entertainment choices. This is about awakening our awareness of the influencers in our life so we can make healthy, informed decisions.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a powerful story to bring hope into your impossible situation this week, here’s my pick:

What happens when a six-year-old boy in Kenya is abandoned by his family and left to raise himself on the streets? Mully is no ordinary rags-to-riches tale. It's the true story of Charles Mully, whose unlikely stratospheric rise to wealth and power leaves him questioning his own existence, searching for meaning in life.