Say "No" to the News

I am sitting in a coffee shop. The guy next to me is on the Internet reading the news. I’ve seen him push back from the table in disgust, watched him grimacing at the screen and heard him cycle through various sounds of despair—tsks, sighs and groans—and I’ve only been here for ten minutes! I’m avoiding eye contact lest he tell me what’s upsetting him.

In the 1975 hit song of the same name, Paul Simon told us, “There must be 50 ways to leave your lover.” If only those delivering news about the economy had the same limitation. Instead we are treated to thousands of renditions of the same story—on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, websites, and blogs. Well-meaning friends send us emails about it just in case we’ve been vacationing on the moon and blissfully unaware.

It’s against the law to yell “fire” in a movie theatre because it’s a threat to public safety. So why aren’t these bearers of bad news being arrested? What about our safety as we listen to or read news designed to fill us with despair? Despondent people can be a danger to themselves or others. Don’t the people feeding this misery bear some responsibility?

If there were ever a time to go on a News fast, this is it. The more you focus on bad news, the more you attract similar circumstances into your life. Notice I didn’t say “into life” but into “your life.”

The Law of Attraction says you attract more of what you focus on. I am not saying you attracted the global economic crisis. You’re not that powerful. However, as you spend time focused on it, getting increasingly upset and worried, it’s like placing an order with the universe, “More of this, please.” The longer you pay attention, the more rapidly you attract circumstances that are a match to what you’re focused on—not much fun!

There are individuals who suffer from mental illness who are “cutters.” In order to feel more in control of the pain in their lives, they actually cut themselves. Does that idea horrify you? Well, my friend, watching the News for increasing signs of doom and gloom is the same thing only on an emotional level. You’re already in pain so, in a desperate attempt to control the pain, you watch more News that is guaranteed to upset you further. How is that different? One person cuts himself physically; the other emotionally. And it makes complete sense to both!

“But, Silver, I need to know what’s going on!”

Why? Unless it’s a necessary component of your job to know what’s happening in the media, there is no reason to watch it. And if it’s making you unhappy, then you have to ask the question, “What kind of person engages in activities they know will make them unhappy?”

If it were harmless, I’d say, “Go for it!” But it’s not. The more you stay focused on things that make you unhappy, the more unhappiness you will attract into your life. Picture an insignificant snowball pushed down a mountain that picks up more snow as it rolls downhill, eventually turning into a ball of dangerous proportions.

When you stop following the News, you’ll have time (and energy) for other things. Rent “feel good” movies. Watch sitcoms. Meditate. Enjoy your house. Volunteer your time. Build a snowman. Love your family and friends. Savor your food. Get physical. Feel the sun on your face. Read a book. Do a crossword. Play board games. The more you engage in activities that make you feel good, the more you will attract circumstances that are a match.

Will it fix the economy? Hell, no! But it will ensure that you are enjoying your life and that is all you’re responsible for. The more people who do this, the better things will get but there’s only one person who can do it for you—the one you see in the mirror each morning.

It’s your choice. Will you be part of the problem or part of the solution? If your choose solution, a quick and easy way to begin is with a News fast. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

Don’t worry. If there’s something you really need to know, someone will tell you.

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