We have one short life.  How do you want to spend it?

I know those who say if you are not upset, you’re not paying attention.  And if you’re not watching the news non-stop, you’re not keeping up on things.  I disagree.   Yes, the world may be crazy – but what about your mind? Yes, it would be normal to have an internal reaction/response to some of the recent events in our country.  But, to keep regurgitating/upsetting your own internal state of affairs – that’s on you.  How does this help anything?  In fact, it creates harm in its own unique way.  Internal dysfunction adds to the injury of the original event.  I notice I start to avoid those in constant states of agitation as being part of the overall turmoil of the time.

This is not to be confused with not doing anything.  Sometimes our internal responses of anguish or anger to injustice do motivate us to take useful action.  But notice – if you are in a stew and constantly replaying harmful events in a circuitous mental loop – this is harming not only you but adding to the dismay of those around you.

Try this: take one day – just one whole day – with no media.  No T.V.  No smart phone, checking the news.  No computer.  See how that goes.  How you feel.  Can you do it?  Can you see/feel the characteristic sensations of addiction creep up if you don’t check these things?

To the extent that what we are “keeping up on” is simply feeding the addiction of constant adrenal stimulation it is not healthy.  It is not truly helping – anything or anybody.  Instead, we can center down deeply inside ourselves and ask: “What is the one thing I can do, say, or be right now that can contribute in a positive way to this situation at hand?”

We have one short life.  How do you want to spend it?