They are not your friend

“Time sets the stage; fate writes the script; but only we may choose our character.”

- Liam Thomas Ryder

So are you watching the World Cup? I’m not that much of a soccer fan, but I confess to getting caught up in the hype surrounding it. Apparently, a “tie” is a good thing?

This commercial, by the way, made me smile (a Pepsi World Cup ad):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiB3683PztQ

It’s easy to get caught up in hype, isn’t it?

But, in my opinion, for those of us who care about our families’ health, there can be certain dangers to paying too much attention to the mass media. Look, I’m not a Luddite–I don’t advocate “unplugging” completely…however, in this environment, there is a specific kind of danger to what’s out there for you, for your family (and if you’re a business owner, especially).

I’ve got some words about it this week. It’s a bit of a rant, actually, so forgive my being blunt…but I think you’ll see that this is a “good news” rant.

Read on.

“Straight Talk” Personal Strategy

The Mass Media is Not Your Friend

Life in the modern world isn’t always a trip in the sunshine. Especially today.

But as someone who cares about families, and their emotional health, I believe that it’s made so much harder by the tendency of our world to suffocate you with mental junk and global negativity.

I believe that the number #1 danger for families today is allowing today’s world to starve your brain with “junk food” and deaden your spirit with the overwhelming feeling that you are small, insignificant … helpless.

I’ve learned to avoid the 24-7 news channels. I figure that I’ll see what I need to when seeking out resources for our clients about current events on the web. But recently, I did, in fact, watch some CNN.

Now, CNN is about as bland as you can get–it’s “normal” to “normal” people. But I think we can both agree that we don’t want “normal” lives! Those of us who are wanting to go somewhere in life must have better things to do than listen to talking heads opine about dozens of tragedies that we can’t (and won’t) be able to do anything about.

But right now, especially with the BP spill, the world is SWIMMING in negativity. And you need to be serious and proactive about it. Because — if you don’t — it’ll kill your state of mind, kill your desire to succeed, even kill your dreams and everything you really care about.

News-Flash: The mass news media is NOT your friend.

They feed on fear, and they sell paranoia, division and hyperbole. It’s what they do.

And not only must you protect YOURSELF from this drip, drip, drip of depression, you need to fight it on behalf of your family.

Tell them what’s GOOD. Greet them with a smile and with encouragement. Tell them what they’re doing RIGHT. Give them a voice to the hope within their bones–which is too often buried in a junkpile of media-fueled negativity.

You (and they) need to celebrate little tiny victories EVERY DAY.

This is an essential skill for those with a family: when you have a major victory in your life, you need to find encouraging people who will celebrate it with you. Be that person for your family members. Because GOOD NEWS is NEWS INDEED.

EndRant.

I’m personally dedicated to the success of your family! Can other lawyers say that?