The Power of Association

"Finally,...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,...just,...pure,...lovely,...of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8

     I recently began reading a book by acclaimed author and leadership expert John C. Maxwell entitled Thinking for a Change. In it he tells a story about Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul author) early in his career approaching Tony Robbins and saying: "I know for a fact that you made $156 million last year with your speaking and teaching and all of your products. How do you do it? How can I do it?" Robbins asked Hansen who was in his mastermind group (a group that brainstorms together and holds each other accountable). Hansen replied they were all millionaires, to which Robbins said, "That's what you're doing wrong. You need to find yourself some billionaires and begin associating with them!"
     I think this story is interesting because it suggests that there is something in who and what we associate with that can effect the results we get in life, whether in business, finances, character, spirituality, etc. That being said, let me tell you my own experience with changing what I associate with.
     After first reading this story and a few other similarly themed things, I decided to apply it to the entertainment I put in my life, movies and books primarily. For about a month I limited the number of movies I watched, watched only those that were wholesome and inspiring, read more nonfiction than fiction and listened to many positive speeches and audiobooks instead of always music. Now I didn't cut out all the brain candy, but there was a major shift in how I approached my leisure time (such as it is). It took some time to realize but I could almost feel the negative influences in some of the things I watch and read lose their place in my mind. It wasn't as though I used to read/watch things that were repugnant or vile; but the choice to stop filling my mind with that which was merely okay and overtly or covertly promoted philosophies contrary to Jesus Christ's gospel and instead fill it with the great, inspiring, edifying, positive, virtuous, and noble has changed the way I think. Perhaps most significantly, I have felt it easier to listen to and feel Heavenly Father's quiet and gentle communication through the Spirit. That I believe is the power positive association.

     *I was going to end this entry there but I felt the need to add a little more explanation for anyone who might think I only read and watch happy/blue skies/"all is well" kinds of things - I don't. Loosely paraphrasing Brigham Young, there is much to be learned by reading about the consequences of other's actions, good and bad. I happen to read a lot about World War II and the science and history of nuclear weapons. That isn't exactly light reading. I also watched a movie called Perlasca which is about an Italian man who tried to save many Jews in Hungary from concentration camps. Again, not light viewing. I think one of the keys here is the philosophies being promoted. Are they virtuous? Of good report? Praiseworthy? Certainly more goes in to choosing what entertainment we associate with than baseline motives or we might justify many things with ounces of goodness buried in pounds of mental pollution; but it is one test to apply. What I'm trying to say is that choosing virtuous entertainment is not synonymous with choosing watered down, corny, uneducated, boring, or simplistic entertainment that ignores life and its realities. But tell me this: where does your entertainment take you and is that somewhere you want or should want to go?