I have been on a television fast for the past ten days. I have limited my viewing time to the 6 a.m. local news. By 6:30 my set is off and I am on my way to work.
This is not an experiment or protest. There are times when television is not a satisfactory entertainment or information medium.
I usually turn of the set one day during the week and leave it off. This forces me to fill my time with something else besides growing roots on my sofa cushions.
Not watching television has actually energized my brain. Instead of trying to figure out what in the hell is on some talking heads agenda, I have had time to straighten out my own agenda. Which is really far more important that the latest gaffe or political poll.
When my friends heard that I was off of television for an undisclosed period of time, some of them applauded my effort.
Others just freaked completely out from the thought of no TV.
They cannot imagine coming home from a long day at work and not grabbing ahold to their remotes.
"What do you do for entertainment?" is a question that usually comes up after their shock has subsided. Which seems silly to me because I lived for years with alternative entertainment sources. I grew up in a household where folks turned off the television as soon as Captain Kangaroo ended. It did not get turned back on until later on during the day. I found plenty to do then and I still find plenty to do now.
I read a book, prepare lesson plans, do some research, sing, or my personal favorite past time~nothing at all. I simply rest my work worn body. Which seems to be a real intelligent move since I spend forty hours interacting with people who are ages 3 to 5. They have an abundance of energy and I burn up a lot in their company.
Until you have been a no television environment for a day or several days, you cannot see the advantages of not watching. I am feeling pretty good right now and until the craving hits me to turn on my set again, it will remain off.
5 comments:
Good for you. It's great to step back and turn the black box off.
Hello there!
I haven't stopped by your place in a minute! I see you are keeping things interesting around here! (smile)
Congratulations to you on reaching your goal! (smiles)
I do not even OWN a television! I stopped watching television ten years ago.
Yes, it has really been TEN years.
I keep up with what is happening by reading online and watching various news telecasts online IF it pertains to some issue that I am following.
I have links to 20 newspapers on my blog so I don't need to have a television to stay informed.
I have heard people tell me that cable and renting movies is $60-$70/month! That adds up to $720-$840 per year! Nearly a grand....watching tv??
Please. No.
I encourage you to just remove the tv altogether...donate it to a women's shelter or a youth shelter for their lounge.
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
Too much outside input can certainly overload the mind and spirit. Kudos to you for knowing when to step back and unplug!
By the way, I'm not a television watcher anymore. The Internet keeps me connected—somewhat anyway!
Just to clarify, I watch it occasionally but it’s not a must!
Good for u and ur tv fast! the ONLY thing I watch on TV are new episodes of Ugly Betty and i may catch an episode of Grey's Anatomy...meredith gets on my nerves so i can only take so much.
but that's all that I watch.
the rest i'm online at news sites...i love to learn about what's goin on in teh world!
Post a Comment