Unplanned Fast

(Marya) I started on a media fast earlier this month, without really trying. The effects have been interesting nonetheless. I have not watched the news for some time (since the first time I did this program probably). Then, late last year I switched my Internet home page, which was previously set to MSN (news). I am fairly out of the news loop, however, the one thing I still had was our local weekly newspaper. It only comes on Thursdays and is mainly for our suburban city and surrounding communities. I did get some useful information from it (local events, etc.). About a month ago I received a renewal notice and unintentionally delayed paying the bill. Then several weeks ago I noticed the paper didn't come. My reaction was surprising! At first I was really uncomfortable. Almost a withdrawal type feeling - a little anxious. I came close to buying a copy at a gas station or asking my neighbor for hers. And I thought about sending the check for the subscription but then gave it more thought. Do I really need it? What parts do I need? Can I get that information elsewhere? So I've decided to let it go. If I really need event information, I can get it online or I'm sure one of my neighbors would help. In the meantime, I've got an extra 30 minutes each week to do something else!

Morning Radio Wakeup

When I worked in the 8 to 5 world the "wakeup alarm" was the radio set to a well known national talk radio station. After leaving the 8 to 5 world, the alarm is not always on and was not for the first 16 days of March - for no other reason than it just wasn't :-) My husband wanted to get up early on March 17th and asked me to set it. The next morning I woke up to what I will call "bad news". It was depressing and sad. As I was listening, I felt a heavy feeling in my heart. Later I noticed that I wasn't feeling the joy or connection that I usually feel each day. The experience has stayed with me since that morning as I have thought about it often. I have since changed the "alarm" to a CD that has very up-lifting music. A much better way to start my day.

Noticing the Effects

(Marya) I have lots to share about the media this month! Where to begin? First, my husband has discovered YouTube and has been watching quite a bit lately. Yesterday he shared that he watched several videos from 9/11 the other night. He said he hadn't been searching for that topic, nor did he plan to watch a 71 minute video. What he also discovered was that by the end of the video, he grew so angry that his hands had formed into fists! We had a good discussion about how watching certain things can greatly affect your mood. His response was that he hadn't planned on doing it - he clicked out of curiosity and kept watching like he didn't have a choice. I know it's hard sometimes to turn away or turn it off when something we see or hear is intriguing and especially if it affects our emotions. Yet, it's important to realize that if it impacts us negatively (fists!) that it's even more important to remember that we have the choice and the power to turn it off.

Media Judgments

Okay, I admit it, I was wondering what I could possibly need to do in the media department to increase consciousness more. I already don't watch TV, read magazines, books that have any sort of negativity attached to them. I don't even see msn.com or yahoo.com anymore. (I identified them last year as my big challenge -- even seeing the headlines briefly as I passed by to my mail affected me). Then I got sick, really sick. I have been sick for 8 days now and still not fully recovered. When I was in the thick of it last week, I could hardly crawl to the bathroom. I hurt everywhere. For those of you with small children, you know how difficult this can be. I still needed to get meals together, do baths, and bedtimes. (My husband was doing double duty -- his things and teaching my classes). I turned to the TV for help and here is where my new awareness came up -- I judge watching TV, in general. I know and fully support not using TV to educate or babysit my children. I also appreciate that brain development doesn't occur when they are watching a two dimensional image. I also know I was truly desperate and when I began to judge myself for turning to TV, I felt negativity flare up. It was fascinating! So, here is my work for the month.