FACT OR FICTION?
When you are emotionally engaged while reading a book or watching a movie, be aware that your subconscious mind may not recognize the difference between reality and fantasy. This is especially true when one is fully involved such as playing video games or impacts oneself emotionally.
If your mind is filled with images and emotions from the book or movie you are engaged in, it will log those memories as though they were real. Later, you may get upset and not know the reason for it. Sometimes it is because a memory from a book or movie has slipped in.
There have been many studies related to this phenomenon. Soap operas are one example. People who engross themselves in these stories get emotionally charged while watching the program and have difficulty distinguishing between the actors and the roles they play. Often actors receive hate mail when they play the role of a bad guy. Those portraying doctors often receive mail asking for medical advice.
People who religiously watch soap operas have an increase in divorce and relationship breakups because they have witnessed betrayal repeatedly and begun to mistrust their mates. Children and adults who watch action movies and play violent video games tend to be more aggressive. Viewers have become depressed, even suicidal, when a fictional character is hurt or dies, as though they were close friends. There is an alarming growth in criminal behavior, such as mass shootings, being sourced from the news and misinformation.
Be mindful where you focus your attention. If it is love, inner peace and happiness you wish to experience, then choose thoughts and activities that lead to your desired goal.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left;keep your foot from evil.”
~ Proverbs 25-27