Notice I didn't say 'watch the news'. I said 'watch out for the news'. Why? Because the news is not the news. It's the list of the ten worst things that are happening around the world.
I'm in the snowy northeast United States and we're had our fair share of winter so far this February 1st. I work from home so it's a bit easier for me than others. No early morning shoveling my car out. I get to watch the morning news shows if I feel like before I start my day. Today I did just that - blizzard across the US, category 4 cyclone in Australia, unrest in Egypt. All newsworthy stories of course. But terrible.
Now I'm a pretty positive and optimisic person but even I was dragged down by watching this. I had to remind myself that this is not the full picture. I made myself carefully observe the newscasters who actually are salivating at the mobs in Cairo and the potential for 2 days of snow. Their excitement is palpable. They love talking about the worst. "The demonstrations in Cairo have been peaceful so far with families even coming out...but it could get much worse." "The snow in Chicago may be the worst it's ever been...since 1965." I don't know about you, but I hope the demonstrations in Egypt are peaceful protests and that the situation may be resolved quickly and as safely as possible. I hope the snow in Chicago (which is pretty used to snow) is not life threatening to many. But it happened in 1965 and the city's still there...
But let's have some balance....please. I know more people tune in for bad news. I know that's how they make their living. But don't tease us with a little cute story at the end to make us think that the world is 90% horror and 10% You Tube humor. I shut the TV off. I got the basics...I know when the snow is turning to ice. And now, let me go do an errand... and see the beauty of the world.
If I continue to watch that news, I'm not going to feel like doing anything. Why bother? The world seems like it's collapsing around us which is not the case thankfully - although the news wants us to see it collapse with them (and buy their products for headache and stomach cures for the stress we cause our bodies). Let's take this day to send positive thoughts (or prayers if you believe) to those who are having difficult days for whatever reason and let's go back in our minds to a time when we weren't filled to the brim with catastrophe. It is possible... and it's only a thought away.
Ket's enjoy the day! And for those of you in the snowy places, drive safely!
