Drawing by 11-year-old A.M.
Being highly discriminative regarding what we consume is important. First of all, we don’t have all the time in the world and second, we are humans and what we expose ourselves to does make a difference, no matter how strong or impervious to outside influences we think we are.
Our pickiness is filtered by us and for us. It’s the ultimate act as an individual to choose. It matters that we choose in a way that reflects our values and serves us well.
It seems harmless to have goals in one direction and do a few things that aren’t completely in line with that path. and after all, most of us aren’t devoid of focus or morality, but we do however, often cross small boundaries. You know when you’ve done so. You can feel it. Be careful which boundaries you cross. Choices you make that cross your own boundaries waste your precious time or energy or needlessly get you into a terrible situation. This is why following the “straight and narrow” works. It doesn’t take long to form a new, negative habit so don’t be afraid to use your discipline.
Allow yourself to choose exactly what you want based on your most wholesome wishes for yourself. Be picky. People who think they are special do this. They select the food, books, and people that they find to be most worthy of their precious time, energy, and attention.
Will some call you a snob? Yes, but if you are doing what is right for you, and eventually benefitting as a result, then who cares?
What you subject yourself to will affect you. Immoral people, toxic places, rotten ideas, and bad food all affect you, eventually. Stories, narratives, and images, too. On the flip side, people find “dream boards” or written goals useful. This is because you’re focusing on what you want, your goals, and your ideals. No one adds something “tolerable” or mediocre to their dream board or goal list. It would just get in the way. And no one spends time with a good, positive person and ever regrets it.
If you’re dealing with anxiety, try not watching anything dramatic or scary. Stick with light-hearted media only. This may mean turning off the news, for starters.
If you feel depressed, allow yourself a small amount of time per day to feel self pity and then move along. Do not drench yourself in sappy music, poetry about loneliness, or movies that show characters making terrible life choices due to their sad feelings. You’ll sink lower and maybe even get validation and support for remaining in that state.
Instead, find those things that you want. This will lead you to people whose positive traits will rub off on you and activities that will get you where you want to be.
It means limiting your time spent among those who do not share your most sacred values. It means rejecting the company of those who consistently do highly immoral or unwise things. It means not buying ice cream if you can’t limit your intake of it and feel worse off after. It means turning off the TV or closing a book if it is putting you in a negative or unproductive mood. This extends to so much and as such, you can do a little or a lot.
If you’re not picky, try to be in just a few small ways that matter to you. See what happens. Chances are you’ll improve your life. If you are concerned with applying this to people, start with your bedroom. What doesn’t belong there? What doesn’t fit or flatter you? What doesn’t support your tastes, ideals, your goals, your vision for your future? Get rid of it. Then move on to more substantial matters.
It takes some thoughtfulness and honesty to recognize that which doesn’t suit us. It takes courage to turn away from those things, especially to do so without any guilt or regret. But, you’re allowed to do that.