What Happens When Life Squeezes You?
A powerful sermon from a pastor included a simple but profound illustration. He held up three bottles, and proceeded to fill each one with a different substance: one with clear water, another with a red liquid, and the last with a muddy mixture. As he poured each one, he placed them on a table for all to see. Then, he began to squeeze each bottle one by one, saying, “When life is squeezing during times of stress and adversity, what you are filled with will come out. What are you filled with?”
This striking imagery stayed with me, but the pastor wasn’t talking about what we consume physically. He was delving deeper into what we allow to shape our minds and souls. In our waking hours, we absorb an unquantifiable amount of information through our eyes and ears—what we read, see, watch, and hear.
This information has a profound impact on our mental health. Psychology Today author, Austin Perlmutter M.D., writes:
This matters, because research shows us that what we see on the news can significantly impact our mental health. While negative news may influence our thinking through multiple mechanisms, one important consideration is how it interfaces with our cognitive biases, keeping our focus on everything that’s going wrong while blinding us to all the good things around us.
Have you ever taken inventory of this mental intake? If you try it today or tomorrow, you might be surprised by the results.
Step 1: Define Your Character
Start by defining the character of the person you aspire to be. What do you want your friends and family to say about you? Visualize the qualities and values you wish to embody. This clarity will guide your choices and help you focus on what truly matters.
Step 2: Take Inventory
Next, it’s time to take inventory of what’s entering your mind daily. Consider these questions:
• What are the social media posts I just saw?
• What ads am I encountering on social media?
• What are the songs I’m listening to about?
• What topics do my favorite podcasts cover?
• What news articles have I read or listened to?
• What are the storylines of the shows or movies I’m watching?
• What commercials do I see while watching those shows?
• What book am I currently reading, and what is it about?
• What billboards do I pass while driving?
Keep track of your answers over a day or two. It might feel exhausting, but it’s enlightening.
Step 3: Categorize as Positive or Negative
After taking inventory, categorize each item as positive or negative. Reflect on how these influences might be shaping your thoughts and emotions. Over time, these images and voices can significantly impact our physical and mental well-being, often in ways we don’t realize.
Remember, when life squeezes you, what comes out reflects what you’ve been filling yourself with. Make sure it’s something that aligns with the character you want to portray. By being intentional about the information and influences you allow into your life, you can better prepare for life’s inevitable challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking the time to assess what fills your mind can have a profound impact on your character and resilience. The world is full of distractions and negativity, but you have the power to choose what you let in. By consciously selecting positive influences and surrounding yourself with uplifting content, you can cultivate a mindset that shines through even in the toughest of times. So, take a moment to reflect on what you’re filling yourself with—your future self will thank you for it.