Tuning Out

There comes a time in one's life when hanging on to the crap that stresses us out just doesn't make sense anymore. Repeating the same mistakes seems less and less.....cool. Remember when hanging on to meaningless anger, frustration and bitterness meant something? There are things we 'review' and toss - like cleaning cupboards sometimes! I never realized how much television influenced my life until I was faced with a huge, scary question: could YOU tune out?

There used to be a time when watching countless hours of mindless television made sense to me. I thought I loved it - I could waste so much time! It made sense 7 years ago to turn it off and try a life without it. I had heard someone tell me they had unplugged for a week - and I was surprised at how disgusting my reaction had been. How could I have reacted so negatively without even considering the positive consequences of it?

People don't like being uncomfortable - we don't like pain - and my being without a television 7 years ago was going to be both. I knew it in my heart, head and heels before I even tried. I ruined the chances of being successful at it.....because I didn't dare bring it up to my family for fear they'd want to do it.

The universe had other things in mind - because 2 months later, hubby himself mentioned it. I heard him out and thought that if we were both on the same page with this (I knew we should, I just didn't want to) - we should give it a shot.

Here we are 7 years later without.....what do they call it now? Cable? Satellite? A 'bundle?' We love it and are so grateful we turned off the commercials - especially with an impressionable toddler in the house. The first time we took her to someone's home and the television was on (avec commercials) - our little soaking sponge asked for every single item she was shown.....and she also had to go to a play park right away!

We can choose to turn it off at any moment - we don't have to see what happens next. It isn't real.

I explain that television is called programming for a reason - and if you can't find the patterns in the 'templates' of the shows, then it might be time to take a break. Reality shows - I watched as many as I could! After 10 'Survivor' seasons, I gave up. It was getting ridiculous. talk about finding what works and running with it. The monotony of the repetitive programs was getting to me.

We decided to let go of the television and we have never regretted it. Now, however, I am that woman who gets mortified stares and looks from people I talk about it to.

I also explain that we have televisions in our homes, but we don't have satellite or cable. We can choose to watch a documentary online - and we have Netflix. These, although commercial free are not difficult to overuse either. It is still about being aware of your choices......

.....all that just from the idea of turning off your television?

When we chose to turn it off - to change things in our lives for the better - we did so knowing certain things would happen. This is why we do anything that moves us forward - so ourselves and our lives improve.

I suggest committing to turning off your own television for one week. In the summer that shouldn't be too tough - there are so many great things to do outside! One week. That's it. If you want to turn it back on afterwards, feel free to watch TV!

Push yourself past that uncomfy place you think you will find - it exists only in your head. Then email me and tell me all about it.

I love choices. Rock your day!