Reflecting...

Lately I have been contemplating such things as motivation and mental strength. I struggle to understand how to increase these things in my life to help me reach my goals. One of my all-time favorite books is called the Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball. These two things at first may not seem related but hopefully I can clarify the connection I have felt with these concepts. The author cites an unknown author in a comment I want to share.
"Into the hands of every individual is given a marvelous power for good or evil- the silent, unconcious, unseen influence of his life. This is simply the constant radiation of what man really is, not what he pretends to be...Life is a state of constant radiation and absorbtion; to exist is to radiate; to exist is to be the recipient of radiation.
Man cannot escape for one moment from this radiation of his character, this constant weakening or strengthening of others. He cannot evade the responisbility by saying it is an unconcious influence. He can select the qualities that he will permit to be radiated. He can select the calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility-make them vitally active in his character- and by these qualities he will constantly affect the world."
This hit me hard. My mind filled with questions like "what am I radiating?" and "am I making others stronger or weaker?". I am embarrassed at the responses I came up with. Spencer W. Kimball makes an implied connection that our thoughts are responsible for what we radiate. I love this concept of selecting the qualities that we will permit to be radiated. Absorbtion becomes difficult for me. Regretfully, over the last year I have been consumed by reality tv among other things. My husband often comments on my choices while he is watching sports or History channel I am watching to see who the bachelor will choose to marry. Sad, I know. Absorbtion. This is what I am choosing to absorb.
James Allen in his book As a Man Thinketh (another great one) said this, "Let a man radically alter his thoughts and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life. Men imagine that thought can be kept secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes into habit and habit solidifies into circumstance."
I think I will put this to the  test...