One of the concepts many individuals associated with LIFE get excited about is something called the "Media War."  I have heard wonderful stories about how the CDs, books, DVDs, audio and video clips, pamphlets, and events have changed people's lives, given them new perspectives, and taught them things they never knew before.

The concept of the Media War is basically a recognition that everything we do in our modern world is shaped in some way by media.  Whether it is "The Media," which by most is meant to include all public media including television, radio, movies, newspapers, and the like, or all the other forms of media that are out there, it is beyond argument that media in general is a prime mover in our societies.  The concept of a Media War is that the effects of all this media may not be all good.

For instance, much of what passes for entertainment (and don't get me wrong, I love watching sports and movies as much as the next guy!) has a tendency to program us and rearrange our values.  See enough murders on television and in movies and we get a little desensitized to the horror of the sin of murder.  Hear enough foul language, and it loses its sting.  See enough filth, and the mind gladly adjusts downward away from clean thoughts.  You have heard all of this before.  These are the extreme examples. 

The more subtle effects include "dumbing down," taking people away from "real living" by experiencing it vicariously through media instead, celebrating mediocrity, stoking victim mentality, and creating dependencies.

What the Media War enthusiasts are doing is trying to flood back in the other direction with positive, life-building media.  Instead of teaching and celebrating mediocrity, such media advances the concept of achievement through struggle and personal growth.  Instead of decadence masquerading as "cool," positive media teaches that those who dream, struggle, serve, and sacrifice and the real "cool."  Rather than violence and victimhood, positive media teaching heroism and accomplishment and meritocracy. 

How do we know that this type of positive, live-skill teaching, people-building media makes a difference?  Because it has worked for us!  And believe me, some of us (me in particular), were a long way off in our thinking compared to where we are today.  When I first got exposed to this type of media, it was like giving water to a man dying of thirst in the desert.  I thought, "Where has this type of teaching BEEN all my life?" I began to change in my thinking, which resulted in better attitudes, which produced better actions, which generated better results!  Further, I have seen extreme improvements in people's lives as a result of this same training.  People have saved their marriages, gotten off drugs, stopped other addictive behavior, grown in their relationships, strengthened their character, discovered their purpose, and found their true spiritual callings.  Incredible.

So what am I advocating?

Simple.  I am not one of those extremists who suggests a total retreat from "The World's Media."  Rather, I believe that it should be sampled in doses small enough that it can be balanced with training from positive, life-helpful media like what LIFE makes available.  I still watch a football or soccer game.  I still take in a great movie when I can.  But I know I must continue to learn and grow and reach for better in myself, and the thing that has helped me do that the most is positive media of books and CDs and websites (hopefully like this one!).  My education takes up a lot more of my time than does my entertainment.  If I ever lose that balance, I am quite certain I will lose my creative edge.  I simply can't and won't let that happen, and I hope you don't either.

Plug into a system of great materials.  Maintain your status as a student of life.  Continue to force yourself to get better by listening and reading and mentoring more and more and more.  As the saying goes, "Learn as though you'll live forever and live as though you'll die tomorrow."

In a bigger sense, there is a war going on in the culture's of our countries.  Media, as always, plays a big part in it.  The concept of a Media War means that there is something at stake here.  It means that what people drench their brains in, and how they think, and what they do, and the habits they establish DO MATTER in our societies.  Those fighting the Media War are actively doing something about it, one person at a time; teaching people that they can grow in their character, escape entitlement mentality, and learn to push themselves and sacrifice for others is a very good thing.  It can't help but make a difference in society.  I salute you.