Newsworthy...or not?

If you see, hear, or read the news either daily or on occasion you might agree the majority of what is deemed ‘news-worthy’ today deals with or represents the negative, criminal, ‘celebrity’ nonsense, scandal or personal amoral behavior. Sadly, this is the state of our current existence even in ‘civilized’ societies. We should not however be surprised or dismayed, for this kind of behavior is and has been in evidence since mankind’s beginnings.

For many it is only a matter of time before they grow weary of the constant media coverage bombardment of (wo)man-on-(wo)man, man-on-woman, nation upon nation, or society upon society disrespect, violence and mayhem. For those who no longer wish to, or are no longer compelled to feed on the general state of despair among people condoning bad behaviors of our world the questions arise, “How do I refocus on my tiny sphere of existence and make my life better?” How can I stop the invasion of my privacy by continued cries of drama and victimization, which really have little or no effect on my life and for which I have no remedy or solution? Where do I turn for peace and quiet?

Well, first you have to desire to extricate yourself from this daily incursion. Can you feel remorse and pity for those suffering? By all means. Can you feel disdain for those persistently taking advantage of others less fortunate? By all means. Can you wonder about the barrage of inane speech, behaviors and inappropriate actions perpetrated on so many, so regularly? By all means. Withdrawal may bring about an onset of psychological angst initially, but once you start to wean yourself off the comedic and at the same time sad state of affairs, which garner most news headlines you will begin to find a peaceful separation. Remember, we can only control our responses to the people and events in our immediacy of life (the ones we actually come into contact with.) Everyone and everything outside of our sphere of existence is beyond any and all control we may want to exert or claim. In addition those people and events must also choose to interact with us in order for there to be an interchange and exchange of energy, ideas and actions.

The first step to address is giving your time to news or stories which have a direct or profound physical, emotional or psychological effect on you. So even though you may think Kim Kardashian’s latest bikini selfie is inseparably essential to your being, the truth may be, it may not be. Isn't that small amount of time worth more spent elsewhere producing positivity in your life? How many small moments are you spending/wasting on media coverage of people or news events which are in reality worthless to you?

So, once we start on this path of reallocation of time and energy by avoiding the invasion thrust upon us, with what do we fill our new found expanses of time? That’s the key question we each must ask and answer for ourselves. What is important to you? And where will you now invest that time in people and arenas where you may effect positive change or outcomes that benefit you, or those you care for most?

This is how and where we become active participants in our own growth instead of being passive receivers of nonsense or inconsequential trivia that can suck the life energy from us without even realizing it. You have the power if you choose to exercise it. Do you really care what the Wests did last night? Really?

This effort is like most 'twelve step' programs, it is accomplished one day at a time until it becomes our new habit. First, look at or track the amount(s) of time you spend in a given period (one day, one week, one weekend) spent on “news” of little or no actual consequence to you. Next, make a list of other areas or people you could invest and/or share that time with. This is an important step for without it ‘complacent backsliding’ becomes a comfortable place to be once again (such as checking up on Kim). 

By our very nature we must be stimulated and rewarded. It is the ‘cause and effect’ of our behavioral responses. It’s like that old motivational poster, “Garbage In, Garbage Out”. Whether it’s psychological food or physical food, when we are fed well we are more positively productive. Invested time is a valuable asset which can produce much, or little.

Now that we have a goal and desire with an accompanied list of new interests or sharing opportunities, we need to find new resources which can unlock and help promote our new growth. To help you get started I invite you to explore our Thought for Today and Open Mic Poem postings on this web site. Each of these features is updated daily with new and different content. Take a moment and check them out and come back as often as you can.

Remember your time is valuable and should be productive for you in your life.

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