The Sanford Berenberg Experience: Message of the Day

Good Morning,

I have spent some time reflecting on what I can do to further improve myself so I can better serve others, be a better husband, father, friend, employee and Christian. How I can get into better shape and how to sharpen my mind further. Through this reflection I have looked to people who are doing what I want to do. They are healthy, they are good fathers, husbands, friends and successful in their jobs, etc. When talking with them, there seems to be a single trend which underlies their success.

What they put into themselves is what they get out.

At a basic level this involves food. When Karen and I were at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove last month, each meal was a buffet. It was also delicious and each of us went up for a second serving on more than one meal. Yet, at the end of our weekend, neither of us had gained any weight. Why? The food. There was zero fried foods, no junk foods, and even the snacks, frozen yogurt, were healthy. In effect, what we put into our bodies is what produces the results we see or don't see. To this end, we are changing our diets. Instead of snacking on a bag of chips, we are reaching for dried fruits, etc. It will be a slow process to make the full transition to healthier eating, but it will make our lives better.

This also goes for our minds as well as our bodies. Several friends and associates I know don't have a television in their houses. They and their kids don't watch TV. The horror, I know. Their kids, though, are doing extremely well in school, and turning out successful in life. Why? Television is mostly junk food for the mind. It has been called the idiot box for years. And this label is not for people who watch it, but what it does to people who do watch it excessively, it makes them into idiots. This does not mean that I am against all TV, as I am not. I am though, particular of what I do watch. Educational shows where I learn something make up most of my personal viewing. A few cartoons here or there for levity, and that is it.

If like watching violent action and horror movies, realize this is what is being fed into your mind. And just touching on video games, I am not sure of worse time stealer than these addictive enticements. Luckily there is the Wii which helps you physically when you do play. Does watching these TV shows, movies, hours of video games and whatnot cause in impact on you as a person, one what you do and how you act?Why not test it. Switch to enriching material for one month and see how you feel about yourself.

What I put into my mind are books, some magazines, and information I hear on the radio. Mostly enriching material. I have stopped listening to violent music, and while I still love hard rock and metal, I listen to Christian hard rock and metal (Skillet, Fireflight, etc.). I still play a video game here or there, but try not to do anything that takes more than 30 minutes in a day. I want my mind to munch on something edifying.

As I wrote in my book, Learn and Grow Daily!, the more I filled my mind with knowledge the more I moved to the Lord. It has had a humbling experience in my life and I think it has made me a better person. Others tell me the same of how I have changed and grown. My thirst for knowledge and entertainment is still there, but it seldom looks for the mind-numbing materials of my past. Gone are the days of watching Jerry Springer and endless sitcoms, playing Final Fantasy for 10 hours straight, sitting down with bags of chips or cookies to just munch and slowly killing myself as a couch potato.

What I put into my mind and my body is what I get out. With that decision I changed the course of my life for the better, and I urge you to consider doing the same thing. It may not mean throwing your TV out, but maybe switching from the 100th viewing of that 'Friends' episode to 'How Its Made' or some other educational show. Instead of running to the next action packed special effects laden movie, find a book to help expand your mind.

Now, off to get some dried apricots for a snack.

Enjoy!

Sanford Berenberg
Sanford@berenberg.net
http://www.berenberg.net

http://sanfordberenberg.blogspot.com/
Follow Me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/sberenberg