For the past year, I have experimented with drastically cutting out “weapons of mass distraction,” such as TV, radio, and newsprint, from my everyday life. It started when I began to get fed up with all the advertising on television and what I felt those ads were telling me. Things like: “You’re not good enough. You don’t have enough money or things. You need drugs and alcohol to feel better. Life is meant to be hectic and full of fear. There are people out in the world that want to kill me.” Just watching one half-hour episode of the national evening news (with the added bonus of a pharmaceutical ad every commercial break telling you you’re sick) is enough to make anyone depressed about being alive.
In response to this, I started to “fast” from the news. In essence, I wanted to turn off reality television and tune into reality. We unplugged the TV and stored it in the garage. On my drive to work, I turned off the radio and visualized great things happening in my day. On the way home, I listened to a great album or stimulating speaker on my iPod to unwind. I gave up the newspaper and limited Internet use to only when I was in the clinic; none at home.
There were times when I was incredibly bored at home. I had to revert back to reading books daily. When I couldn’t get myself to read, I’d rent a movie from Blockbuster. I figured at least there would be no advertisements in a rented movie. I started playing board games and having dinner with friends on the weekdays and spending a great deal more time playing with the dog. I went to bed earlier. I was able to be more present with my patients, and my results with them improved. When I did happen to catch a news piece or ad, I felt it was easier for me to read between the lines and see what message they were really trying to convey to my subconscious. In short, I think I was able to focus my mind more on the “now” and less on the negative messages and distractions media presents that have no bearing on my day-to-day life.
There are negatives to tuning out. I can’t follow politics or sports very well. I feel like an irresponsible citizen. I have no idea who I will vote for or even if I’m informed enough to vote. In my case, however, the positives outweigh the negatives.
Mother Teresa was asked one time, “What can we do to promote world peace?” She replied simply, “Go home and love your family.” For myself, it’s more important to feel connected, focused and engaged to the people and events within my day-to-day life rather than be up-to-date every hour on the latest political scandal or cruise ship disaster on the other side of the globe. What’s most important to you?
Healing Tip of the Week
Try it for yourself. Do a one month news fast. Try to use the extra time you gain to do something fulfilling, engaging, or fun. Share what you discover with others. It can be a very enlightening experiment.
