In order to stay focused on the positives, I've been looking at the negatives that sometimes creep across my path. When I stumble across something that annoys me, I stop and have a good look at it. I say stumble on purpose because I often come across them by surprise.
Last night as I was watching The News, I realized I was feeling a number of negative emotions - hostility, anger, sadness, sorrow. I've always watched The News, wanted to know what is going on in the world, and without knowing I was doing it half the time, raged against those who cause so much harm, destruction and human sorrow in the world. Yet I've been known to advise myself not to waste my emotions on things I can do nothing about, to change the things I can. But what sort of monster would I be if I weren't touched by injustice.
I suspect watching The News is not doing me any good. I listen to the radio during the day, catch The News every half hour and don't have negative responses. Same when I read the newspapers which I must admit I don't do very often because of my failing eyesight. I feel the visuals they show us on the TV are designed for impact, for their shock value. And I've become too susceptible.
From here on in, no more TV News for me. I will just try to have a positive influence in my little corner of the world. To make things better for others if and when I can. We'll see how we go, huh?
Pauline, you have said all the things that I have been thinking recently about the terrible world events that surround us. I sort of drafted a post over several weeks but it's still not finished. You have now done the job for me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Graham, Since I've been telling others I no longer watch The News, I've discovered there are many others like me. I don't know about your broadcasts but ours seem full of opinion, I feel the news presenters are trying to tell me how I should feel about things.
DeleteAgreed. We don't have TV here (it became too expensive) and so we only get our news from the newspaper, or headlines on the radio. We still know what's going on, but we don't have to let it negatively impact our days.
ReplyDeleteMy TV is just a piece of furniture taking up space at the moment but when the football is on I'm glad to have it. I enjoy watching most sports I must admit.
DeleteGood on you, I sometimes don't watch the news but read it online. With the TV news it's a video and makes things worse by watching.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Margaret. I think the visible impact is quite powerful.
DeleteI'm feeling the same as you Pauline, and think it's time to stop watching the news with all the negatives that impact our emotions. I think the reporters often only give us one side of a story.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Rosie.
Deletei stopped watching the news on telly about a year ago, i was feeling the same as you it's all so negative with no positivity.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Amy.
DeleteIts a good idea. I know quite a lot of people who don't watch the news for that reason. I still persevere and I find i'm getting used to it, which is bad too.
ReplyDelete