You are what you feed

This is an epiphany I learned from my friend Kathy A:   It is a fact in life that what you feed, grows.  You feed your children, they grow.  You feed your husband, hopefully he won't grow as big as he eats; but that's another topic.  You feed your plants, they grow.

This phenomenon also works in the spiritual realm.  Whatever you feed your spirit, it will grow.  If you feed your bitterness, resentment, anger, hurt, or jealousy, it will grow.  Unfortunately, I have seen this over and over again in the lives of the people around me.  Feed an insecurity and it will grow.

But here is the wonderful thing:  the flip side is true, too!  Feed your joy, gratitude, and general well being, and it will grow.  Feed your love for your family, and it will grow.  Feed your confidence, your love for fellowmen, your faith in God; well, the list is endless.

There is one more thought that goes along with this.  It's ironic, but whatever you feed will eventually grow to consume you; be that bitterness or love, faithlessness or calm assurance, misery or joy.  Whatever you feed your spirit, it will grow to consume your every thought and every deed. 

 When I heard this from my dear friend (whose family picture, by the way, is in this post), I determined that I would make a conscious choice each day to feed my spirit what would make me happy.  I choose to listen to beautiful uplifting music.  I choose to call a friend and tell them that I am thinking of them.  I choose to hug my husband and tell him he is the most important person in my life.  I choose to help the guy who drops all of his canned goods in front of me on the way out of Target. So far, so good! Thank you, Kathy!