Is It Time For You to Go For Your Dreams?
I’m going to encourage you to go cold turkey…put down the remote, step away from the television, the newspaper, talk radio…just for seven days.
So many of us habitually watch TV, flip through the paper, turn on the radio and get wound up.
(I do promise you that if something really big happens in the world, you’ll hear about it. Others will be happy to let you know about it!)
We’re heading into spring, even in colder climates. Trees are budding, flowers are poking through snow, birds are returning, the days are longer and warmer, and it’s time, more than ever, to work on those New Year’s Resolutions.
Did you decide to lose a few pounds? Be more engaged in life? Did you decide four months ago that this was the year you were going to get fit?
Turning off the television and getting away from the media can help with that.
How? By giving us room to breathe.
Bad news brings us down. It sucks us in and sucks us dry. I’m advocating that we spend much less time on things that drain energy and more time creating and enjoying.
Even if all we watch is one hour a day of TV, by the end of the week, that’s almost a full work day. What could we accomplish with that time? More time with friends and family? Tossing a Frisbee? (Getting fit and being outside!) Walking the dog? Trying a new hobby? Preparing something from scratch? Could you use that time to learn something new? To keep those resolutions that seemed so important in December?
If nothing else, a media fast teaches us a thing or two about life. (I was really resistant to the media fast the first time I did it. In fact, I was angry when requested to do it. But I learned so much from the experience that I made it a way of life. I haven’t turned on my TV for weeks, and I once went five years without a television at all.)
Why not, as the weather turns more beautiful, enjoy the sunset instead of the next episode of Idol?
If nothing else, in the media fast week, you’ll learn a few things about yourself.
I’m here for you. I’ll support you in this, I’ll hold your hand. But mostly, I want to know what the experience teaches you.
Here’s to you and creating the space for your dreams to show up!
Hi Christine,
I have been on a media fast for the past 5 months and I have found it to be a healthy choice for myself and family.
One of the benefits I have found is that time has slowed down. I often ask many people on Monday, how was their weekend. Most reply with it was too short. Since I have been media fasting, I find my weekends are just the right amount of time, 2 days. I feel rested and energized to start my week. At times I feel bored and I enjoy this.
My relationship with my family has deepened and for me the most important news is what is going on in their life.
By making this decision to choose what information I allow into my life, I feel more in control which allows me to create the day I desire.
You are absolutely right that if there is some big news event I will hear about it through other individuals.
I agree the majority of items in the media are negative and over time, this can warp our sense of what the world is like. It increases our fears, doubts, and prevents us from being kind and compassionate to others as we constantly get fed the worst of what humans do.
I applaud your idea and if there is anything I can do to support your efforts, I would be glad to help.
Wishing you success and happiness!!
David Lease
Life Coach
By: David Lease on March 28, 2010
at 3:24 pm
Thanks for sharing this, David. You’re obviously a fabulous coach from walking the walk! I love how connected you are to your family and to your own mission!
By: summitviewcoaching on March 28, 2010
at 6:10 pm
I appreciate your kind words!
By: David Lease on March 28, 2010
at 6:40 pm
Sometimes living without the Media in your life CAN be a freeing experience. As an Army Wife during deployments I go the entire YEAR without turning on CNN, HNN, or any other news channel. I avoid reading newspapers like they’re the source of the newest plague, and you bat the I won’t listen to the talk radio shows! If there is one topic to get my blood boiling it’s discussing the “War on Terror” and hearing every one elses opinions on it. I absolutely HAVE to go on a media fast that year or I know I’ll be surrounded by worry and stress. Simple things like “Death toll in Middle East Rises” can make my heart stop and the following days turn into weeks praying that I don’t have a chaplain at my door telling me the worst news possible.
I, couldn’t agree more. Turn yourself off to the news JUST for a week and see how freeing it feels!
By: Whitney on March 28, 2010
at 5:54 pm
Great strategy! Thanks for sharing!
By: summitviewcoaching on March 28, 2010
at 6:08 pm
Hi Chris,
great article, thank you!
I’m newspaper-free and TV-free since 1988 or 1987, and the positive impact in my life is undoubted!
The next step is to control and filter the Internet use…
By: Angela on March 28, 2010
at 8:17 pm
You are such an inspiration! Let me know how the control and filter of the Internet use goes!
By: summitviewcoaching on March 29, 2010
at 11:19 am
Hmmm. I have done that in the past for two years. Didn’t mind it so much. Might be a good idea again.
By: Steve on March 28, 2010
at 10:54 pm
Go for it! (You’re too busy creating your own good news, anyway!)
By: summitviewcoaching on March 29, 2010
at 11:18 am