Let’s face it! The airways inundates us with images and messages on a daily basis. The majority of the time, those images and messages are pitched to influence us on how we should look, feel, eat, respond, and accept. It can all be too much to handle at times. I’m here to tell you that it is okay to UNPLUG all of those influences. Turn off the television. Put down your smart phone and don’t answer text messages immediately. Sign out of those social media accounts. You will not miss out on anything of real value.
I use to be a faithful news watcher for decades. I would listen to the news in the morning as I was getting prepared for my workday and would be sure to tune in when I returned from work while I am cooking dinner. However, all of that changed. Last year my eyes became opened to the power of the media and social media. I recall the time leading up to the 2020 presidential election. The mainstream media just hammered non-stop their political views and opinions during their network’s morning, noon, and evening broadcasts. Their efforts were to not only inform the American people but to influence individual political views. Every major news network were pitching for their political candidate. It was clear what they were doing. It was just exhausting!
In addition, we were in the midst of a pandemic. Something that many of us have never experienced in our lifetime. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming. It was hard to process what was happening and how the pandemic affected our everyday lives abruptly. Schools were closed, restaurants were shut down. All of the entertainment arenas we like to enjoy were ordered to remain closed, and our employers told us to work from home. We were mandated not to visit our elderly family members, to just remain at home. Through the media we learned the contagiousness and deadly effect of the COVID-19 virus. It was all disheartening.
To top it all off, we witnessed the upheaval on our streets in major cities across the United States. Once again, the media was sure to stream the protesting, rioting, looting, and violence in our streets. After all we have been through as a country, the color of one’s skin continues to divide us. We are more alike than we are different.
So I realized in 2020 that it is okay to not listen to the news and to not tune in to social media. I want to protect my peace of mind and guard my heart from hate and evil. That required me removing myself from the fiery line, the influence. I have control, we have control over what influence is feeding into our hearts, minds, and spirits. That is the point here. We have control over those influences. We have the right to UNPLUG. I would much rather spend that time with my family or in my creative space. Life is too short to carry the burdens of this world!
Well friends, thank you for stopping by! Until next time…..
Blessings