I have been avoiding the news as per the lab's homework assignment for one week. I am about two days maybe three into trying this difficult task. Wow, this has been hard but refreshing! I can focus more on what I want to manifest, and when I am tempted to take that look, it does feel negative. Perhaps, it's me but I am not surprised to see that most of what we call television is filled with programming that makes you focus outward on the world and not yourself and what's important. And what's out there via the television news media, though informative has this gut level feed of negativity. I am sorry about the strife in the world and the economy but it seems to there will always be such thinking and problems. Mr. Wattles was right about that.

Neverthless, I think it's all leading to more focus and less mind numbing programming. Also, it creates more demand on myself and stirs emotions. Anyway... Richard

quote:

Originally posted by Richard E:
I have been avoiding the news as per the lab's homework assignment for one week. I am about two days maybe three into trying this difficult task. Wow, this has been hard but refreshing!

Richard,

At Rebecca's suggestion I'm slowing down on the course and actually started over, having done 14 lessons in 14 days (way too fast!!). I'm now on lesson seven, but when I first went through the lessons, I took the lesson 9 challenge to give up the news for a week. That's now sixteen days ago, and I'm still hanging in there.

It's so funny because I am one of those "junkies" that Rebecca talks about. And the problem with junkies is everyone else knows that I'm a junkie ...so they come to me for a fix!

Problem is, I'm not holding...

In the past two weeks I've been asked a number of times about my thoughts on this or that. Imagine the strange looks when I respond, "What's that about?" Several people thought I was just messing with them.

Right now, I don't think I'll ever go back to the steady diet of news. An occasional snack here and there, maybe.

Like you, I had not realized how much the news was affecting me, and my attitude ...and then realizing that the vast majority of what I was watching was stuff I can do nothing about.

As I've thought about it, I agree with Dr. Christiane Northrup, who Rebecca quotes in lesson 9, that we were not ever intended to carry around the woes of the entire world.

I now know why Atlas shrugged.

God Bless,

Thom

To me, the TV thing is largely a scam. It’s aimed at the lowest common denominator, and that’s usually some kind of fear-based thinking.

To me, the TV scam is: Put something on that grabs the viewer’s interest. (If it’s thrilling, sensational or even voyeuristic, so much the better,… as the lowest common denominator will generate the most viewers.) Then hypnotically instill in the viewer the state of being that they are somehow inadequate and incomplete and NEED whatever it is we are giving them, whether it’s news, soda, beer or entertainment. And then, get handsomely paid by getting advertisers to pay for ad time, to hock wares and services that we mostly don’t need, since we wouldn’t even know they existed, if we didn’t see them on TV.

The old ‘bait and switch’ con game artfully expanded, at the expense of the naïve sheep,… I mean viewer.

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by Phil:
To me, the TV thing is largely a scam. It’s aimed at the lowest common denominator, and that’s usually some kind of fear-based thinking.

To me, the TV scam is: Put something on that grabs the viewer’s interest. (If it’s thrilling, sensational or even voyeuristic, so much the better,… as the lowest common denominator will generate the most viewers.) Then hypnotically instill in the viewer the state of being that they are somehow inadequate and incomplete and NEED whatever it is we are giving them, whether it’s news, soda, beer or entertainment. And then, get handsomely paid by getting advertisers to pay for ad time, to hock wares and services that we mostly don’t need, since we wouldn’t even know they existed, if we didn’t see them on TV.

The old ‘bait and switch’ con game artfully expanded, at the expense of the naïve sheep,… I mean viewer.

Phil

LOL, I fully concur!!!! See my post from this morning
HERE

Well Phil and Ancient Soul are both very right.

I use TV for company because I live alone - so I have had times of not watching and watching a reduced amount. Everyone has their own path.

Good thing was that in the last few days I started to hear the words stock market crash and turned it straight off - Have been quite pleased to miss all that shamozle - and I am still blissfully swimming and visiting friends. The world is still there each morning when I wake up.

Hope you reap many benefits from less TV soon - as you surely will.

cheers
Pauline

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I use TV for company because I live alone,...

Hi Pauline,

May I suggest that TV is some of the worst kind of company you can keep? It's hypnotic, just like a 'mind movie' but it's programming you to think like 'they' want you to, which, to me, is often not in your best interests.

SOGR talks about using most of our spare or free time pleasantly in reverie of the conditions, outcomes and experiences we want to see come about in reality.

Now, I can see how sometimes that can become an 'effort' so I suggest also having some easy calming, relaxing, or uplifting and inspiring other choices to view or listen to. Here's one I've come across, an Abraham-Hicks video on 'getting into the Vortex' or the state of being "at once in the full enjoyment of the things you want," as Wattles puts it:

Getting Into The Vortex

To me, consciously relaxing and focusing on your breath and breathing, and simply thinking thoughts like, 'peace' or 'love, or "I am loved," or 'calm' 'healing' 'ease' 'wonderful' etc., and imagining how they feel is also easy, and gently nurturing and empowering. (Note: Every little shift to a better feeling makes a real difference. You don't need to try to shift all at once, just like you don't need to jog miles the first time you go exercising.)

When I'm alone I like to also remind myself, "I am worthy." "I am wonderful." And, sometimes I'll even say, "I am sooo worthy," because I believe that's what God wants me to think. (And, if you feel like it, and it makes YOU feel better, you can also think of others and say, "You are sooo worthy.")

I also like keeping plenty of inspiring reading material around, and when I'm on the 'net' and I see an inspiring quote I'll copy and paste it into one of my collections of inspiring quotes, which is another place I go to, when I want a little boost.

Calming and relaxing or inspiring music is also wonderful. I like combining meditative music or sounds with some gentle stretching or exercises, when I'm alone. The unobtrusive music allows me to think healing phrases and seems to enhance their ability to ease or empower my consciousness, easily and effortlessly.

One other thing I do is: I usually know when I've got some 'alone' time coming up. So, I think of different ways I could use it so that I feel good with the time. (Feeling good is the key.)

TV is convenient, but I believe a lot of it is unhealthy, like a lot of junk food that can easily be bought. I believe we need to train ourselves to make or create better options and choices, so that our lives will proceed more easily, peacefully, happily and fulfillingly.

Best Wishes, Love & Kind Blessings To You,

Phil

quote:

Getting Into The Vortex

WONDERFUL Phil, thank you, I so enjoyed watching that!

Friends, that LifeLab is only about letting go of the news habit for a short time so you can notice the difference in the way you feel. That's really all.

I would encourage you NOT to start finding fault with or condemning newscasts, journalists, or television (or other media) in general because when you do that, you are simply looking for what's "bad" or "wrong" with all of that instead of following Wally's advice to look for the good in everything. And so, as you give your focus, faith, and feeling to railing AGAINST it (against ANYTHING) and calling it bad, you will simply invite more things of that same "bad" quality or essence into your experience.

I don't have a TV at present but I do enjoy a number of programs. In fact, I renovated a house by myself once, and I had learned to do most of the tasks involved from watching TV.

There are things on TV and other media that make me laugh and feel good. I have benefited from the weather reports (especially when growing up in Tornado Alley and again on this sailboat). I have learned about places in the world I want to visit. I have discovered ways to be of use and service. I sometimes can really get into a ball game and enjoy yelling for "my side" -- especially when watching with friends or family who are for the OTHER team (just a game, all in good fun). I appreciate all of that. Finding what you APPRECIATE about anything -- including the news and television in general -- is always worthwhile and always brings you more good.

quote:

The old ‘bait and switch’ con game artfully expanded, at the expense of the naïve sheep

Well, I personally don't see people as "sheep." And if someone is thinking in a way to attract something in the nature of a "con," it'll show up one way or another, TV or no TV.

How about a switch in focus here just for an interesting experiment?

What do you APPRECIATE about news reports, journalists, TV or other media?

What I do enjoy about the news? That one highly successful prize winning crime reporter quit his trade and turned into a very talented and successful crime novelist.

Just because they put it on the frequencies, does not mean that I have to watch it

And another fun thing about it. Be fascinated by people's opinions on a dutch forum and how they communicate.

I was never a news addict. Though there have been times when I watched a lot of television. Now living without television and my browser is no longer supported by the "missed programs" website.

It is great to learn that I do not "need" television to have a full and enjoyable life

I do appreciate the freedom of choice that we have. And I do admire the people who make it their jobs to make all those programs to inform the public.

Hmm. Makes me wonder. How long it would take to have "clipping services" on live television? Wouldn't it be great if I could choose the topics instead of the editor?
Small variation on the thing like the hard disk recorder so we can choose WHEN we want to watch something.

God bless you,

Caroline
My Gift To You: 50,000 Guaranteed Visitors To Your Site

quote:

"clipping services" on live television? Wouldn't it be great if I could choose the topics instead of the editor?

I like that idea, Caroline!

I sometimes wonder if we as a people are yet ready for a broadcasting network dedicated to living in the certain way. A network dedicated to broadcasting positive news, encouraging people, and upbeat happenings, etc. What if there was a “Certain Way” broadcasting network where the teachings of Mr. Wattles and others like him both passed and contemporary could be shown and viewed.
I think that there is an expanding base of knowledge in this shrinking world that if brought together into a single entity and presented in this manner could go along way towards changing the perceptions of humanity for the better. Imagine if people throughout this country and indeed the world were to have access to this kind of uplifting information, what a difference it could make upon this generation and generations to come.

quote:

quote:

"clipping services" on live television? Wouldn't it be great if I could choose the topics instead of the editor?

I like that idea, Caroline! Big Grin

Hooray! Thank you Rebecca.

Hello world, there is a million dollar business idea up for grabs here. You already have your first two customers without any advertising

God bless you,

Caroline
My Gift To You: 50,000 Guaranteed Visitors To Your Site

quote:

Hello world, there is a million dollar business idea up for grabs here. You already have your first two customers without any advertising

Caroline,

I don't know what this is, but if it's a genuine biz opportunity, and you know what it is, why aren't you making it your reality?

Phil

I watch very very little TV, and no TV news. But I do read news, mostly on CNN.com. I find sometimes I read news just to escape what I'm doing at the moment, usually work-related stuff. My intention is to watch less news as an escape and to use my time, as Phil has suggested, envisioning my goals. What I do like about reading news on the net is the people's comment section. I love "listenting" to people and hearing their take on a particular story. I always learn something I wouldn't have thought of and that interests me.

Great posts. I agree with Rebecca. The exercise is intersting and I am certainly avoiding the news for the homework only. It has been tough since, I use the news for that edge and connection. However, the repetitve news reel approach is what makes it so hypnotic. There is so much more to focus on that needs getting done. Like visualizing etc.
The news will go on and on and on.

I just don't want to be living the life of Washington on a daily basis anymore. They have their goals and I have mine. Yes,I am a citizen and I am deeply concerened. Anyway... this has been the experience taken from the lab so far.
Perhaps, this will change on Tuesday when I have completed the first week. However, on a lighter note, I think have learned enough about Space and UFO's to last me for awhile. And my productivity has increased.

quote:

Originally posted by Phil:

quote:

Hello world, there is a million dollar business idea up for grabs here. You already have your first two customers without any advertising

Caroline,

I don't know what this is, but if it's a genuine biz opportunity, and you know what it is, why aren't you making it your reality?

Phil

Phil, because I do not have the skills or contacts or the desire to build them.
It is my dream only on the consumer end of things.

So I threw it into the universe of abundance rather than try to sell the idea in the universe of competition

God bless you,

Caroline
My Gift To You: 50,000 Guaranteed Visitors To Your Site

quote:

Originally posted by Richard E:
It has been tough since, I use the news for that edge and connection.

I'm curious as to what you mean by this, Richard. What "edge?" What "connection?"