| News Dust #32 Christians Need Motivation Too |
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Quotation: "Nine tenths of the news, as printed in the papers, is pseudo-news, manufactured events. Some days ten tenths. My own experience has been that renunciation of this self-hypnosis is no sacrifice of reality at all. To 'fall behind' in this sense is to get out of the big cloud of dust that everybody is kicking up, to breathe and see a little more clearly." --Thomas Merton
Motivation Thoughts: I used to be a big news consumer -- faithfully watching two or three national and local news broadcasts daily; reading the paper every day; reading two or three national news magazines weekly. I was absorbed by the so-called news -- addicted to it.
One day it dawned on me that most of what I was watching and reading was negative and depressing. So years ago, I stopped watching news programs; stopped reading news magazines. I still "read" the daily Tennessean for about 5 minutes and occasionally listen to NPR but that is all.
The funny thing is that I am still informed. I think Thomas Merton was right: 9/10ths of the news in nothing but dust being kicked up to grab people's attention so media can sell advertising and make money. To step out of that cloud of dust is very refreshing.
I now spend my old news-time reading biography, self-help, history, spiritual growth, social justice, recovery, political commentary, and positive thinking materials. Instead of feeding on news dust, now I consume inspiration, hope, and techniques for living a better life.
For me, Thomas Merton's quote was right on. Could his comments be right for you?
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| June 06, 2009 |
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Great Blog. I stopped watching the news at night, it scared me and sometimes I would have nightmares...too much violence and war. You are right it is depressing. I am trying to read more. I'm reading The Shack and I bought two of Destiny Diadem's books on www.lulu.com |
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| June 06, 2009 |
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Reading positive material is an awesome thing, Remarkable Terry. Don't forget to include the Bible in your daily reading. |
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| June 06, 2009 |
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I like reading Merton, I just usually have to have my big red dictionary close at hand. :) He stretches my brain. I agree with Merton's assessment of the news! |
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| June 06, 2009 |
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| June 06, 2009 |
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| I agree to a certain point..........One should limit which channels they watch and networks as most of them are mere "puppets".
Before I lost my job I sit beside a 28 year old girl who had no clue probably who the President was - honest. She never watched the news or read a newspaper. So I think that is not good also not knowing what is going on around you.
I respect Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh as they do inform us of things others don't and give the Truth no matter how bad it may be.
Because I took journalism in high school and use to contribute many Letters to the Editor, etc. Ive always liked watching these type of programs - but yes too much of anything is not good.
Nice blog :)
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| June 06, 2009 |
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| June 06, 2009 |
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| Brother Steve, The best way to get depressed is to listen to the government run news media. ABC, CBS, NBC all three major networks have made a messiah of sorts out of Barack Obama. I watch the fox news a little and read the local news, most of the time I listen to good ole southern gospel music. Something about the name of Jesus, lifts me up above the poor mouthing of elected officals. |
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| June 06, 2009 |
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Absolutly Right Steve ~ News Dust !!!! |
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