(ThyBlackMan.com) We are being conditioned just about every day of our lives. Some of it is positive but most of the conditioning we are bombarded with is negative. The bottom line is that it’s happening at a level we do not comprehend and, unfortunately, it’s been happening all of our lives.
Here are five sources of negative conditioning and what we can do about it.
Source# 1: Family and Friends
Family members can be potential dream-busters when it comes to ambitions. They may be well-meaning, but they can also become roadblocks. How many times have you been told ‘you can’t or ‘you’re wasting your time’ by a friend or family member?
Solution: The best thing to do is keep a healthy distance (since 
some of these people may be in the same house!), stay focused and keep believing in your dreams.
Source#2: Local News
Television stations are in a constant war for ratings and to get the most viewers, they must report on what viewers like most: murder, scandal and violence. The real reason the media has made my list, though, is because of the proximity of late local news to bed-time. The sub-conscious mind is most permeable in the minutes before we fall asleep at night. Going to bed with all of the internalized, mostly negative news does nothing but seep down into our deeper mind while we’re asleep.
Solution: In the hour or minutes before bed, try reading a book, doing light exercise and stretching or watching something comical on television.
Source#3: Bad Theology:
I grew up in the church and I relish some fond memories of that time. But truth be told, when you hear over and over how bad you are and how unlovable you appear to be, it takes its toll on your psyche at some point. Not all religious traditions serve parishioners a steady diet of damnation, but far too often we hear about a merciless versus merciful God.
Solution: The good news is you don’t have the fire the preacher! Read and interpret your religious text yourself. Draw your own conclusions.
Source#4: Reality Television
Who knew the advent of reality television would present such convoluted images on a daily basis? Reality TV makes the list due to that one word: images. The conditioning we experience in this regard is the blurring of the line between right and wrong. This is not only bad for the individual, but for society as well – namely because it makes us less emphatic to do something about it. Although images can be a good thing, the kind we see on the tube every day is not so good.
Solution: This is where the power of turning off the television comes in. Just like anything else, watch reality television with moderation.
Source#5: Social Media
Look at social media for what it is: connecting. The question is who and what are you connecting to? Herein lays the issue. It would be great if every person on your Facebook page was an idealistic, positive-centered up-lifter, right? Well, they’re not! Most people Facebook their issues instead of FACING them. That negative energy feeds right into your spirit on a parallel track.
Solution: ‘Un-friend’ kindly or, at the least, take a break from social media.
We must become vigilant to the negative conditioning taking place in our lives.
Staff Writer; W. Eric Croomes
This talented brother is a holistic lifestyle exercise expert and founder and executive coach of Infinite Strategies LLC, a multi-level coaching firm that develops and executes strategies for fitness training, youth achievement and lifestyle management. Eric is an author, fitness professional, holistic life coach and motivational speaker.
In October 2015, Eric released Life’s A Gym: Seven Fitness Principles to Get the Best of Both, which shows readers how to use exercise to attract a feeling of wellness, success and freedom (Infinite Strategies Coaching LLC, 2015) – http://www.infinitestrategiescoaching.com.