[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jYypepBCyb4]
At lunch over the weekend, my friend Carla mentioned feeling quite upset about the whole Caylee Anthony story. I innocently and naively stated, “I don’t know who that is.”
Carla looked at me at first with pity, then with an expression of wonder. “You’re lucky,” she said and briefly explained the horror show I’d remained oblivious to.
Combine that with today’s front page News of the World scandal about how information is being distorted and my having recently seen Page One: Inside the New York Times, where, when and how we receive news is quite topical.
I’ve chosen to not own a television set anymore and instead subscribe to the Times Reader, which is how I stay current. Every day I choose which sections of the paper to read. There is no advertising in this format. I pay a subscriber’s fee of $20.20 per month. The articles are filled with hot links, so I’ll frequently watch a video on a subject of interest, go to Wikipedia.com for a reference or the dictionary for a definition.
Having seen Carla’s upset and being a suggestible person myself, I’m now aware and also relieved that I got the short-form version of this horrific story.
Hana Kamm of Shesnext.com, invited me to create a video (the one at the top of this entry) about how self-care impacts our bottom line. In it I describe my top three tips for staying mentally and emotionally healthy–a key factor in maintaining profitability. Monitoring what comes into your realm is my #2 recommendation.
I used to wake up to CBS News on the radio, twenty plus years ago, until I heard Wayne Dyer enlighten me that I had a choice in the matter. Prior to that, I had the belief that every good citizen was required to get current on the world situation upon arising.
What I’ve discovered is that I’m a more effective human being if, when I wake up, I meditate, read something uplifting and spend an additional few moments in appreciation and prayer for the day ahead. The news will be there when I’m ready to absorb what I can and leave the rest.
I didn’t know about the Caylee Anthony story either until I happened to see a report of the trial at the gym. I don’t watch television news, and I believe this helps equip me to do any good in this world as opposed to be weighted down with horror. I feel guilty sometimes, but I realize the news only gives me a fraction of the stories in the world, and reading a book about the history of a country or issue often gives me more real news than watching every day.
@Margaret
Great alternative behavior suggestion. Thank you.
I loved this post. What you focus on determines who you are. You are a person who focuses on the ‘right stuff’. I would venture to say that this is a rarity among most people I meet.
Prioritizing the important things in life, such as family and friends, is so key to a balanced and fulfilling life. I, too, don’t watch the news and didn’t know about Caylee Anthony until I was getting my oil changed and saw the trial on TV. And I make sure to prioritize my family and friends. Blessed to count you as one of them : )
Been ignoring the news for years. I did happen to walk into the room where my husband was watching the trial at very impt moments so I happen to be up on that story somewhat but what I usually do is when I have a social or business dinner and I have been “out of the loop” for a while which is most of the time, I turn on CNN that day and watch all the stories which will end up repeating all day and then I can pretty much get by on current events enough to seem somewhat intelligent about it. I find it much more enjoyable to watch documetnaries, and educational shows the rest of the time learning about what I consider to be more in depth and important topics that affect us in a more long term way.
Thanks Jane! I was out to lunch (literally and figuratively) with friends when the Caylee Anthony story was mentioned. I had no idea who they were talking about. For the life of me I couldn’t understand their interest in the sordid details. Although I did follow the DSK story. Oh well?
Love, Mary
Oh how I loved this post! I thought I was the only one who was “should’n” on myself for not wanting to read or see the news headlines first thing in the morning! There are no shoulds, only what works for each of and keeps us healthy and vibrant. I may miss out on some cocktail party conversation, but that is less important to me. Thanks for this validation.