Training Life’s Algorithm Is A Choice
If you are on the internet, then you’ve experienced the algorithm. Love or hate it, the algorithm will show you what it thinks you want to see based on your history. You have a choice of how to train life’s algorithm.
Example of how the algorithm works:
Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc., know a lot about us. They know your age, gender, and demographic. They compile all that information to try and show you content they think might interest you. I love it when Google shows my blog to women over 50 who might be interested in fashion!
When you sign up for a new platform, you’re usually asked to select areas of interest or connect with a few friends. From there, the algorithm begins showing you different topics to gauge what grabs your attention. The goal? To keep you on their platform by giving you more of what you like.
The algorithm has it wrong!
If you find yourself frustrated by the posts on Instagram or Facebook, it’s time to retrain the algorithm. A friend of mine once said she kept seeing posts about hurt or abused animals, and it really bothered her. The problem? She had probably watched one or two of these posts, and now the algorithm was convinced she wanted to see more.
The same thing happens with other topics like politics, religion, cat videos, football, or Taylor Swift. Once you “feed” the algorithm by watching or pausing on certain content, BAM!—you’re likely to see more of it.
Training the Life Algorithm
Have you heard the tale of two wolves?
“A Cherokee elder was teaching his young grandson about life.
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil- he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt and ego.
The other is good- he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
This same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person, too.”
The boy thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,
“Which wolf will win?”
The elder simply replied,
“The one you feed.”
― Tsalagi Tale
Life is full of choices. Every day, we make decisions—what to eat for breakfast, what to wear, who to talk to, what to buy. These small decisions, though they may seem insignificant, are constantly shaping and training our hearts and minds—just like an algorithm.
The good news is that we can retrain our life’s algorithm by choosing to focus on positive, noble, and uplifting things. My recent post on Finding Hope In Jesus In A Troubled World might be helpful.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
How Are You Training Your Algorithm?
So, gurls, here’s the big question—what are you feeding your heart and mind? Are you filling your life with joy, peace, love, and truth, or are you letting negativity and worry take over? Just like with social media, we need to be intentional about what we give our attention to in life.
The choice is ours. We have the power to decide which wolf our life algorithm will feed. As Philippians 4:8 reminds us, we have the chance to focus on the good, to retrain our minds to think on things that are true and lovely. If we do that, our hearts will become more in tune with the positive and the beautiful, and our lives will reflect that.
To GOD Goes the Glory!
Have a Blessed Day!
Let’s end with a prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to feed the good in our hearts and minds, to focus on what is true, noble, right, and lovely. Guide us to train our thoughts on things that honor You and bring peace to our lives. May we choose joy, love, and hope in all we do, and may we always seek to lift up those around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Totally agree with you on feeding our minds loving thoughts about our neighbors.
Great lesson. I tend to feed too much into the worry about things I can’t always control. Takes up a lot of space!
thank you so much for this
Good post! I am trying to make sure I feed the good in my life! it is a daily challenge, but very important! Thank you for the uplifting posts!
This was a great lesson today.
Beautifully said! I look so forward to your Sunday posts. Of course, your daily ones as well! I try to focus on the good and feel I do a pretty good job of it. However, sometimes I need reminded!
We talked about this very topic in Sunday school this morning. We all need to be careful of what we watch and say. Praying for God to lead me daily.
Dear Tania,
I truly love this post and will remind myself to feed the good wolf. ❤️
I have a devotion for our youth group planned for tonight on the Fruits of the Spirit. And God drops your Sunday devotion in my lap to add to what I was going to say! Thank you for these! They lift me up every week!
Phillipians 4:8 is such an inspiring piece of scripture. And it is so important especially at this election time. May we all share this and uplift others eith with this positive message. Blessings to you.🙏
“…… the one you feed!!!!”
That was a wonderful message today!
very thought provoking, thank you for the message!🌻
I wish there was a “Like” button on this, so I could push it!!!
Another great post! And I like the addition of ending your Sunday Posts with a prayer. Thanks for all your hard work & keen insight. 💕 🙏
Beautiful! I always look forward to your Sunday post and I’m never disappointed. 🥰
I love this post! I recently started noticing more & more negatives videos and non-hopeful things showing up in my internet feed. Just yesterday, I checked my feed and made sure I was “not subscribed” to negative sites and videos. Your post today is making me think about also checking “see less of this” on topics about which I’ve been receiving notifications that encourage me to spend too much time thinking about things that are not as important to me. I have “happier things” I can be doing and thinking about right now — like enjoying less heat & humidity, enjoying being outdoors in nature, and visiting a local apple house to get fresh fall apples. I have so much to be thankful for, and I choose not to let the internet “weigh me down”! Thanks for today’s post!!!
Jackie, knowing there is a problem is the first step to fixing it.
Love this ~ ❤️
Thank You Tania
I’ve heard the wolf story and love it. My WOTY is Joy and I’ll admit I’ve let it slide a bit recently. This was a good reminder, thank you! Perhaps God used you to get me back on track. I appreciate your willingness to be a vessel.
Algorithms at their best!!
It took me a minute to figure out what WOTY meant. 🤣
Oh!! I love this inspirational post. This resonates with me on a daily basis. I try my best to be a very positive and happy person, even if I’m not. It always makes me feel better, and I can accomplish much more and show more love to my friends and family. Thank you for the reminder! 🌼
TANIA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUNDAY DEVOTIONALS THEY ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED!!!! LET’S LET THE GOOD WIN EVERY TIME!!!!
Thanks for sharing! So true! I always look forward to reading your Sunday posts.
Wonderfully said… Thank you ❤️
Thanks for the uplifting devotional. It went right along with the sermon our pastor gave today. Decisions we make determine so much in our lives.
To God be the glory!
This is very good advice. I love the story about the elder and his grandson.
Beautiful thought for the week. Thank you Tania
Thank you for your Christianity! And your faith!
I’ve been following your fashion posts but only recently began receiving your blogs. You can’t imagine how happy I was to read your spiritual and prayerful posts. Thank you Tania!
I’m glad you are enjoying my Sunday posts.
Thank you Tania. I certainly needed to see this today.
Love this ~ ❤️
What a great message today!!
Thank you for your post and sharing this Bible verse. You truly walk in His word. I needed this reminder as it is so easy to change our thoughts! Surrounding ourselves with positive influences can make a huge difference! ❤️
Good reminder!
Tania, Your Sunday inspirational posts are at the top of my reading list. Thank you! I hope that I will make sure to always choose the good wolf. I hope that you are enjoying your time in Hotlanta! Fall temps will arrive down here to stay, eventually.
I love this! What a great way to look at life!
I LOVE this!!! Joy is a choice ❤️ Your words are always just beautiful!!! Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Tania, thanks for posting the Bible verses. Sometimes they seem to be aimed directly to me.
I am not a churchgoer but do consider myself spiritual. I don’t usually read your Sunday posts but this captured my attention and really resonated with me! I have an adult son who is moving out of country for work for 3 years. we are very close and although I’m doing my best to be supportive and happy, I am feeling adrift and feeling very sad. I know I must turn this self narrative around or I’ll be miserable and that’s not fair to him . So your post was just the right kick in the butt I needed. Thank you!
Janet, this makes me very happy. I’m glad this post can help you and your son during a difficult time.
The two wolves is a perfect explanation for children; and me!
Nice post – thank you.
I so look forward to your Sunday posts! Another uplifting thought provoking message! I love that you now end in prayer, I often go back & reread them before bed! I am gonna try & retrain my algorithm! 🤞🍁🧡
I’ve heard this tale before and it makes so much sense to me but I’ve forgotten about it lately. Thank you, Tania for the reminder 💕
Thank you so much Tania for this message and reminder of our choices in life, and pointing to a life with Jesus. What you said is truth! Blessings
What a wonderful way to remind me that I need to feed the positive and starve the negative. Too often it’s easy to get caught up in things that don’t fill me up. I’m going to take that story to my classroom this week to give us a chance to talk about what that looks like in our lives!
Tania,
Thank you for another beautiful and inspirational post. Thank you for the reminder to think on good things. May God bless you!!
Thank you so much for your beautiful ideas for coordinating clothing and accessories for each season. Although I’m retired, over 50(by 20 yrs) I so enjoy shopping (usually at my Talbot’s and JJill) and looking put together for Church, out for dinner, or just gatherings with friends. I especially appreciate your spot on Scripture verses!
Thank you for your Sunday posts. I read them as I wait to get ready for church. They are always uplifting and I appreciate your courage and willingness to share your faith in this troubled world in which we live.
I love your daily posts, too, that sometimes just reminds us to enjoy the humor and ordinary things of life to enjoy.
I always try to be optimistic and uplifting.
Always love the wisdom you give us. I shared it today with my favorite over 50’s and a few younger.
Blessings,
Diana
My Sunday posts aren’t age or gender specific, so I’m glad you are sharing with younger people too,
Amen! Beautiful post today. thank you!
Great post! Amen!
Great post Tania . I actually just did this. I retrained Google to only show me uplifting stories rather than the garbage I kept seeing. wonderful life message. Thank you!
You are a testimony that it CAN be done!
What a great post. Something to think about and put into action.
One of the best devotionals you’ve written! Thank you for the excellent reminders!
Wow, thanks! I’m glad you liked this one.
Excellent post. Thank you
This is absolutely Food for Thought.
Thank You for your Sunday Inspirations, have a Blessed Day.
Well said Tania. I work today and before I go I pray for the good day I will receive from the lord. Only took many years to learn. I could expect a good day or a bad. Its all in perception. Thank you as always being true to your beliefs. By the way I hate algorithms! Shopping is made much harder on the internet because of them. Research anything and you see for weeks!
This is so on target, Tania! Recently I read a plot summary of a book by a current, well-respected author, and I realized how morally ambiguous that person’s writings are. I must make conscious choices in what I read and view if I want to protect my mind from “living in” values that cause me to question whether God’s ways are truly right and good. You provided a very timely reminder!
Thank you for your post today!!
What a great message!
Good words to think about.
Thank you
Beautiful inspirational post. 🌻
Amen!
Thank you! We should always remember to think on the good things God has done for us!
Excellent and timely post today! Thank you for a great reminder of what to focus our thoughts on.
Great post. Good way to start my Sunday! Thank you.