Upon leaving for my trip, I soon realized that an apparent combination to a lock within me was broke and what opened for me was a freedom that I never before knew. Released from the fears that I am used to bearing, fears that seem to befall us all from time to time—of bills, success, rank, importance—I was under no weight of these “ordinary” concerns and experienced a relief that allowed me to witness and employ an unencumbered version of my self, a truer self than I ever felt. With my fear lowered, my interests were heightened, clearer and sharper. I was more in touch with what I liked, who I was, and more comfortable following my curiosities. In the airports and airplanes, I was much more open to converse with those about me—flight attendants, fellow passengers, and others waiting at the airport. And more than just an increased effort to speak to others, I was continually presented with those whom I so eagerly enjoyed such company with. It didn’t seem such meetings were random at all. I saw that life offers me wonderful gifts at every turn if only I am free to see them and enjoy them!
Some Factor: At the airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I was awaiting my flight. I bought a chicken sandwich and decided to sit. There was little seating available, and looked at a seat that someone promptly mentioned was saved. A nearby woman noticed my predicament and moved her purse so that I may sit. I commented on the sandwich and how average it tasted. She thought that was funny and we started a conversation. This woman, the owner of a health retreat in Thailand, would offer me a ride from the airport, be a New Year’s Eve companion, Salsa dance partner, and host at her retreat for my final three nights in Thailand.

I came to believe that many I came upon were being “brought” my way. I could clearly admit that my acknowledged, conscious control had no influence behind these worthwhile and productive meetings. I didn’t consciously set them up. So what did allow for these opportunities to come my way? What does control this?

What became visible is that insight that people have been trying to explain for all of history. God’s way, Thy will, the super conscience, the Law of Attraction, Karma, the Universe, or a Higher Power—in several circles we have several versions. All regard this path and source and I will refer to it simply as some “Factor” as I have no better way to explain this phenomenon. I soon saw that when in touch with this, when I live with this belief intact and relationship strong, I am freer than ever before, because I am comforted by the knowledge of this guidance, the faith that the next situation or opportunity will appropriately come my way (and it will be the perfect opportunity), the unrelenting of that anxiety of ‘what to do next’ and the optimism and excitement of the prospect of this way of life.

I felt released from my usual pattern of existence that I maintain simply because it is “comfortable”—afraid to try new things, go to new places, to quit a job, to do what I really want, to get to know my neighbors and say “Hi” to those about me. How many do what they truly desire? It is this fear that I was relieved from. That relief then perpetuated the strength of this Factor’s guidance and that door continued to widen. May I always understand and live where my conscious mind ends and where that something, escaped from my consciousness, this Factor, begins.

Seeing Me- my traits: At a beach in Thailand, I wanted to build a sand castle. I was getting into the task and for a moment thought how I looked being a grown man building a sand castle by himself. I did enjoy it, however, and I let that prevail, choosing to see it as courageous. When I completed my work, I looked up and noticed that others had started building castles of their own—none of whom had been doing so previously. I know they may have begun regardless if my example, but I felt as if I did have something to do with their decision and I felt empowered and connected with all the members of the beach in that realization.

This relationship with the Factor and subsequent freedom allowed for my best to come out. Seeing my best—my leadership qualities, warm personality traits, personable nature, intelligence, sense of humor, and other talents—created a presence that was firm, solid, confident and free. To be so grounded, to have this knowledge about myself, to exclaim these traits and simultaneously have these traits create the means to be so grounded; this is the essence and bedrock that got me on line with my path. To be grounded in my self meant approaching every situation with my positive beliefs in mind and letting that knowledge release me to be my best self. I saw that true love for myself is present when I realize how much I have to bring to a situation.
I may have previously “believed” on a level that I had positive traits, but this recent belief was deeper, realer, and bore fruit. I may have “believed” that I could lead, but I saw on the beach that I was a leader and I felt it—I really believed it. It is this feeling that evidences true belief—not a logical belief, but an emotional one. To let that acknowledgement sink-in provides fuel for excitement for every corner turned in life—what will I add to the next situation? I learned that belief isn’t actual or real on an emotional and meaningful level, until is affects our confidence and outlook.

Seeing Me- my defects, interests, and path: One night while in Malaysia, an attractive woman from New Zealand who was staying at my hostel asked me to join her in getting some food. I agreed and had a nice time sharing with her and getting to know her. As later hours approached, I was being challenged by my urge to get back to the hostel and rest—I had a big day ahead of me. She wanted to keep shopping and I found myself resisting my need for rest because I was putting pressure on myself to follow through with a fantasy of us becoming romantic. What then became heightened and clearer to me was a definition of what I truly wanted. The uncanny realization was that I didn’t fancy her all that much.

I needed to get back to go to sleep—that was my true self; that was my path. My smaller mind, focused on her attractiveness, born a fear of not ‘succeeding’ with her. I began to feel that I had to make her like me otherwise I was failing in my shortsighted quest for becoming worthwhile which was achieved by her liking me. So started the game of force and trying to become something I wasn’t, and trying to get something that a larger part of me didn’t want. It was this larger part of me that became apparent and clearer with the lessened fear. What was revealed was my true self, security in whom I was, a revelation in what I ought to be doing, and the ability to maintain self-respect and dignity. Only when listening to my true self and not the whims of a lower mind—a desperate need for attention or cheap validation, a need for a proof of being right, or any other ego feeding—was I grounded in myself, true to my path and confident in my action.

I became more sensitive to detect these things and was more in touch with what I wanted. Less blinded me from my truer desires and the beautiful, delicate curiosities of my deepest, subtle self were made aware. Yes, I did want to know where they bought that item; yes, I did want to climb that ladder in the cave; yes I did want to know if the old cobbler had family; yes, I did want to watch and videotape a Buddhist funeral I came upon. The obvious, shallow, animal urges were drowned out by the deeper call of who I was. When not so aware, and if distracted with this fear, I only see the items of interest that are blatant, often shallow, or really stick out and I miss the subtle beauties amongst me. Within the confines of a more blinded existence, my threshold for the “interesting” is unfortunately higher.

I was not throwing spaghetti at the wall, seeing what would stick. Only when real interest and a genuine urge were present did I take any action in any form. I didn’t attempt anything that had me forcibly trying to acquaint myself with anyone. I was just able to see so much more coming my way that interested me.

We hear sayings about God’s way vs. our way. When this Factor was in play, spontaneity was present. This was big, because I don’t know how I’ll react to every new situation and I never know what situation lies just around the corner. There can be anxiety in not knowing, but my faith in this Factor and certainty of myself allowed for extreme freedom and extreme enjoyment in each moment. I felt the direction that this optimism, refreshed sense of self, and sharp insight into my interests took in my life. I became certain and secure, happy and confident in my next move. I learned what it felt like to be on my Path. I became right sized—meaning perspective is honed and more accurate—meaning I understood better where control was newly relinquished and yet, control newly gained. I noticed the true influence the Factor had over my life and the joy, freedom and counter-intuitive empowerment that accompanied it.

This was not a ‘letting go’ that meant giving up, but a ‘letting go’ that had me motivated and inspired and so maximized my action. Much more than leisure, this experience freed me to see what is possible for my life regarding career and long term accomplishments. Things seemed within reach that before seemed only pipe dreams—it was a powerful realization.

My challenge upon return has, and will be, to fend off the usual detractors that work against such an existence. Undoubtedly, my decisions here at home and outlook on things here since returning have been positively affected and altered. However, even as I wrote this, thoughts came to me of wanting to downplay the significance. It’s not surprising that a return to home would have these familiar feelings and attitudes return by way of association.

But this trip was NOT a dream. It was as real as my life here—my life that has me taking out the garbage and getting the mail. I was just fortunate to see how good life can be. In fact, I now believe life isn’t supposed to be but only as I recently experienced it.

We realize the negative consequences when citizens become reliant on the State—decreased independence and self-worth and squandered potential—so why do we enact laws that send the message: “we know better than you, so do what we say”. What an implicit “lowliness” this message sends.

Why do we want this? We do, because at some point along the continuum we lose faith in freedom and our vision of what freedom means is blurred—as is our ability to see the consequences of taking it away. I write this piece to remind Minnesota that with these types of issues, the benefits of freedom outweigh the benefits of a law.

Is it a person’s right to choose whether or not to wear a seatbelt? I think so and I’m betting most others do, too.

Regardless, does is negatively effect our prosperity to enact seatbelt laws? Yes, and I’ll argue how. First it’s key to recognize that unlike gambling or drinking, this freedom to do something potentially harmful doesn’t offer an obvious economic or entertaining benefit, so there is little regard to the consequence of making that choice illegal. But there is a consequence…

Sure, the choice to use a seatbelt is pretty much a no-brainer. Enforcement isn’t too hard since most people choose to buckle up already; plus, it can serve as a simple political maneuver to gain favor with cohorts, special interests, or constituents. And with no clear benefit to not wearing one, what do we sacrifice by making it law? We sacrifice a subtle, yet clear, reason to promote liberty that needs to be understood and adhered to, by our leaders especially, if we want to be as prosperous and fulfilled as we can be.

This reason for freedom is not a blatant factor that directly interferes with commerce (like a trade restriction) or directly allows for personal fulfillment (like freedom to worship) but it does underlie all these benefits. Without regard for this factor, we lose sight of the foundation that begets all the benefits of freedom that we cherish. It is this reason alone that defends the choice to not buckle-up, and it this reason alone that doesn’t seem to hold much sway. It should.

This factor I will refer to as our “humanity”. What is the problem with using law to enforce to adults the promotion of something “good” like seatbelts? Recognize the un-measurable, but clear harm that results from the removal of this freedom, the ability to make this choice. This erodes our humanity and the harm is that is serves as a subtle form of dehumanization: to deprive of human qualities such as individuality, compassion, or civility.

Dehumanization occurs because the level at which you take the responsibility away from individual (it being ordered by the State) is the same level at which you degrade the maturity, independence, productivity, and self worth of the individual.

The public “loses” a bit of themselves when in the back of their minds, they realize the law and the overriding influence the state has on their lives. When it’s the policeman or Governor coercing us to buckle up, it is suddenly not an idea for and from oneself—for one’s own protection, honoring one’s own value. By discouraging this self regard, we promote the limiting of opportunities to demonstrate our self-worth and responsibility in regards to that situation.

America’s ascension to prosperity is because of one thing: a recognition of our humanity. It is the humanity, the ability for us to be our full selves that freedom allows and maintains, that is at the core and is the foundation to why we get to enjoy the more “obvious” benefits of freedom such as personal fulfillments and economic prosperity. Freedom is the air that prosperity needs to breathe and thrive, that allows people to create, innovate, collaborate, risk take, to spread their wings and soar—to the benefit of all human existence. When we enact these restrictions, we’re clipping our own wings.

Which restrictions?—any mandate that prevents people from making a choice about what to do with their own body or property that doesn’t directly impede on another’s freedom. (I know there are arguments to be had about what is “direct”, but clearly, I like to be conservative regarding this and believe the more we lean toward freedom the better off we are.)

Many say, “seatbelts save lives, and when we create these laws more people buckle up.” This is the point at which our Minnesotan politicians have let us down. This is where the rubber meets the road and we see defeat in the faith we ought to have in freedom. Our leadership is fine at recognizing freedom’s benefit in a variety of areas, but they lose recognition when pressed to acknowledge freedom’s most basic, fundamental benefit and most don’t have the capacity to be pressed very hard.

Sometimes it takes a faith in freedom’s righteousness when restrictions seem beneficial and convenient. Politicians need to realize the faith that more good is done when freedom is favored. One needs the wisdom to look past the individual incident of, say, a victim without their seatbelt and see the overarching affect of trying to force all people to wear theirs. Know that the harm caused by restricting this freedom is greater than the benefits of enacting this restriction—and this is a constant formula.

Oh, and it isn’t like seatbelts will not be worn if the law isn’t there. Fewer perhaps, but seatbelt use goes up with time regardless of laws. People responsibly and appropriately make the choice for themselves. Then, in time, we have the best of both worlds—high seatbelt use and citizens maintaining their humanity.

Most Minnesotans acknowledge it is one’s right to make the decision whether to wear their seat belt, but they will also not mind giving up their rights and/or thinking it is okay to take away another’s. These moral implications do not bother many people. They tend not to trust other citizens to make responsible decisions for themselves, but these laws serve to help create the problem of the irresponsible citizen. Additionally, people are afraid of car accidents and death, so they pass a law, thinking it will make it better. These decisions are hasty and harmful.

So let us please stop promoting the degradation of each citizen by enacting laws replacing our own thoughtful decision-making with lazy, victim-minded, inferior-inducing, orders from above. If it’s wrong to order adults not to, say, gamble, then it’s wrong to order them to wear their seatbelts. Ignoring this truth is bad promotion.

Take the principles of freedom and stay consistent. Let your logic and reason dictate your stances. Morals are static like physics: objects don’t fall up, 2 + 2 = 4, and wrong doesn’t lead to right. Seatbelts mandates may be amoral to a relatively minor degree, but just as it is wrong to steal $1 or $1million so it is to tell others what to do regarding what religion to subscribe to or whether they wear their seatbelt.

If someone has a right to not wear their seatbelt, have faith in that freedom, in that right. If you don’t think people have that right, then your morals are clashing with the original American and Minnesotan morality and you need to think again—especially if you are in office.

When people shared, I had little to no toleration for their opinions that I disagreed with. In a healthier state, I typically have more empathy and can try to understand another’s opinion. I can also see them as mere opinions—not a threat.

That night, however, I became angry. I know being ill increased that tendency to be cranky and impatient, but why get angry at other’s opinions at all? Because of my ailment, I was privy to the inner workings of why this is so. When ill, my emotional defenses are down and the threshold lowered. This helped expose my thinking and emotion.

An individual supports Obama. They express their admiration and enjoyment of his presence in Washington. One black woman in the group I was in said she was thrilled because Michelle Obama is the First Lady and one white woman said she was grateful she didn’t have to be embarrassed for her president any longer. We hear this kind of talk all the time.

Why did it anger me?

What was so clear this night is that I became angry and I became defensive because… I got scared. I have within myself a certain amount of fear regarding today’s political realities. This is what shown tonight.

I want to explain any anger and fear that arises within me when becoming emotional about these topics. Conversely, I also want to express why I feel more optimistic than ever.

Let me introduce you to my fear.

We will work this backward. I see Obama act in Washington in ways that I believe will harm the country—so ultimately, me. I see him act in ways that I consider immoral—wasteful spending, extraordinary theft via taxation, support for drug prohibition, invasive foreign policy, stifling of relevant truths, inconsistent stances on important topics, etc. I see this happen and acknowledge that when immorality is done, results are unfavorable.

Think of it this way: few people disagree that bad will come from a policy of torture. Whether it is enemy motive or retaliation, the effects on the ones committing the torture, or a tearing of our American moral fabric which worsens the tendencies of Americans in general, many can see these potential outcomes.

This is what I, and others who think like me, see in the policies of Obama. America passively allows and supports the cold, facelessness that is the government seek unprecedented control of private corporations, banks and healthcare—this is socialism and proves destructive. With the bailouts, we see some Americans paying for others without the payer’s consent—this is theft. Regarding the stimulus, we see the continuation and promotion of over-spending that put us in this compromised position. We know that this stimulus will help to delay and make worse the inevitable drop of our economic system. This is all being performed by the leadership with no regard or knowledge for what is truly responsible and appropriate.

Here is an excerpt from the Cato Institute’s website:

“And you don’t want to think about the total bill as Washington bails out (almost $13 trillion worth so far) everyone within reach, “stimulates” (the bill passed earlier this year ran $787 billion) everything within reach, and spends money (Congress approved a budget of $3.5 trillion for next year) within reach. Indeed, according to CBO, the president’s budget envisions increasing the additional collective federal deficit between 2010 and 2019 from $4.4 trillion to $9.3 trillion.) Then there will be more federal spending for government entities, such as the Federal Housing Administration; failing banks, which are being closed at a record rate by the FDIC; pension pay-offs for bankrupt companies, administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and covering the big tab being up run up by Social Security and Medicare, which currently sport unfunded liabilities of around $100 trillion.

As we have no authority over these matters, we see all this and feel completely helpless—particularly when there is such avid support from the American public, as well as from much of the world, for this harm. We can only watch it occur and fear the dissolving of our once-proud, beacon of righteousness. We see America as the only place in the world today that has a chance to live and prosper and face challenges with freedom at the helm. We see America as the leader of the world because of freedom, not despite it. We see America as the place to function as the world’s role-model.

(More challenging for me is seeing my friends, with whom I have connected, support radiantly this damaging momentum. The ones you love will anger you most when in disagreement about such topics. It is because I fear most their allegiance for this destruction.)

Now, rather than continuing to shine as a beacon, we see America lower its standards of individual freedom to the likes of the rest of the world. It doesn’t fit. We don’t believe it can fit. America is America and despite much of the world applauding our over-spending, big government, freedom soaking ways, the rest of the world, as well as America, of course, will be worse off. Is it not America’s productivity that the rest of the world has/is enhanced from? Is it not America’s freedom that led to this productivity to happen? So is not the current political landscape in America a threat to our freedom, thus, ours and the world’s productivity and prosperity?

After I whittle down my anger, I see the realm of fear within me. I fear the negative outcome of such policy. I fear the mass ignorance of solid logic—logic replaced with faulty reasonings like; “look what the free market did” or “if drugs were legal everyone would get high” or “if the government didn’t give domestic and foreign aid, no one would”.

I get afraid when the fickle nature to trust and like someone is used to support these destructive policies. My fear flared that night when I considered people endorsing forced civil service and tax dollars being used for abortions all because it is also in favor to those before me to have a tan, presentable president. I see us letting our freedoms and continued prosperity be stolen from us via the ease in which people fall into favor with a leader.

*and here’s an aside—I get it; I understand people’s enthusiasm. I like Obama, too. I like him, but I abhor is policy. It isn’t the support itself that scares me, because I understand how important looks and presentation are to winning over an audience. My fear comes from seeing this avid support countering any concern to be had about his activity. I see the tendency worldwide to like him and feed his political aspirations. It is those aspirations that sometimes scare me. The question is: why do we give such power to the executive branch? No power should be bestowed upon one person—especially in America where it was written to prevent such rule. People’s fickle support for a president would not be a threat if his authority was at the appropriate level. I digress.*

This is not just Obama, of course. Most representatives in Washington condone this. But Obama represents a new low in this morality—that’s just his way of presiding. He does not prefer individuals, or does not trust them, to do these acts on their own merit. He does not trust people, he does not trust freedom, and here in front of me tonight were two women applauding “all this”—or so my fear would tell me.

But, that is just the fear talking and I know this to be a defect. But when I do fear, and even get angry, I hope those that read this can understand a little better why that is.

More than the fear, however, I do have faith. I have three points of optimism which do outweigh this element of fear.

First, I can see that regardless of what happens to America, even if it would completely collapse, I will be okay. I am not attached to America in the sense that its status is mine. This enables me to see a world-view and not be tied to the happenings of one country. I can watch cars drive by with off-putting bumper stickers and observe it as sort of an outsider—even chuckle at the American sway these days. I realize that this is humans doing what humans do—being enamored with charisma, especially is times of struggle.

Second, there is that element, that X factor of the human spirit, if you will, that is seemingly, inevitably progressive and especially alive in America. What is that factor that has allowed us to continue toward prosperity? Poverty is being wiped out all over the world. Technology is accelerating. With all the ominous signs my fear wants to recognize, I cannot seem to ignore this obvious reality. This realization has me realize that though most may be ignorant of the illogical rhetoric in American leadership, people are content, and also seem to acknowledge, this “obvious reality”. It can be frustrating to grant these people credit for their accuracy in this regard as they seem to mistake their leaders as appropriate, but that “mistake” does not mean they are wrong in their seemingly “baseless” optimism. I, too, can see the good around me.

Perhaps Obama is wrong about the items mentioned previously, but maybe it does not matter as much as I fear it does—not because he’s “right” but because there are much larger forces at work. Obama may do his best to be himself and be the inspiring, presentable, albeit, illogical and misplaced leader that he is, but maybe it doesn’t really matter THAT much.

Last, I’ve an enduring faith cemented as a result of my local political involvement. The maneuvers I once thought highly improbable now seem likely. It has made it so clear the situation that exists and the utter inevitability of its repair. I have a renewed optimism in seeing the clean, local, no-media-filter-cleanliness that is local politics, renew my optimism in the replacement of old leaders with new, better-fitting ones. I see this as the seed and foundation of policy in the near future. I see the cyclical nature of this political see-saw of leadership over time and the voter’s preference for our turn at the helm.

I see how logic can prevail and truth can set the nation free again!

Ultimately, I relearn that though I prefer not losing my freedoms and prosperity and so will fight to my limits for what’s right, I don’t have to fear it. For even if powers greater than I do take away my freedoms, only I have the power to take away my happiness.

Fear is unnecessary.

And the more I observe, learn and see, the more I realize that I have less and less reason to fear.

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Recently, a study revealed that Americans watch more TV than ever before.  The average American watches 142 hours of television per month.  That is about 4.75 hours a day!    

I will not be under the idea that “TV is bad” and “no TV is good”.  There are great shows that enhance our lives, inspire action, and touch hearts.  Television is an amazing medium and we are better off with its capability.

But I also acknowledge that the less I am glued to the TV, the happier and better off I am.  Indeed, the December 5th issue of the magazine THE WEEK cited a study:

[the] General Social Survey, an ongoing project of the National Science Foundation, found that people that describe themselves as happy watched an average of 19 hours of television a week, while their unhappy counterparts watched 25 hours a week.  The survey also found that people who watch less TV engaged in more community, church, and other outside activities, and they also read more.  “TV may provide viewers with short-run pleasure, but at the expense of long-term malaise,” study author John Robinson tells Live Science. 

TV isn’t “bad”, but the ways we’re devoting our lives to it is.  The TV, like anything else, can be used to excess—especially since it has such a strong, versatile hold on people.

For too many, TV serves as an everyday replacement for emotional investment and time to be creative—to truly be ourselves.  I am referring to the regular, misplaced enjoyment we get from watching TV and the opposing frustration we feel if the TV should happen to malfunction, if our favorite program doesn’t happen to be on, or if we are in disagreement with the content or message being aired. 

I can recall allegiance to particular shows.  I would schedule my day or night around them.  I would subtly focus throughout the day on the hour my shows comprised, counting the hours left before they started.  I would get excited as the start time approached and disappointed when it ended.  This TV time was a sanctuary of reliability and pleasure.  This heightening caused television to be “bigger than life” as life itself was comparatively dull.  I could have made my life more interesting, but chose to use TV as my needed interest and so it served to prop up a discontented existence.  Fittingly, this over investment would make me vulnerable to anger toward the program if I disagreed with the host.  I clung to the program’s content, relying on it to dictate my mood.  

“Losing yourself” in television is not without merit, but we often do so at the cost of compromising our own purpose in life.  We displace our emotions into these programs—these replacements to real life; too many rely on this substitute. 

As well, we’ve all been guilty of using television to stay up hours longer than we intended.  This is another trap.  How many of us have ever watched something that we truly were not all that interested in?  TV has a way of allowing us to remain in this zombie-like trance during these wee hours.  Participating in this avoidance, we let ourselves become victims of another of TV’s temptations.  This time, rather than the heightening of a specific block of planned television watching, we let TV’s mind-numbing quality distract us from our real life.  It’s deceptively nice to avoid full consciousness—which for many can feel slightly empty, lonely, and depressing.  However, the harder it is to turn the TV off, the more it needs to be turned off.  The Week’s continued blurb, when addressing diagnosable conditions noted:

It’s not clear whether TV makes people sadder or that depressed people tend to plop themselves in front of the TV.  But Robinson speculates that depressed people turn to television as an escape, “TV is not judgmental not difficult, so people with few social skills or resources for other activities can engage in it,” he says.  “Even the unhappiest people can click a remote and be passively entertained.” 

How many times has this happened?  You’re watching a movie on TV that you actually own, but would NEVER have gotten up and put the movie in yourself.  Since it’s on, though, you watch it.  We watch TV 4.75 hours a day, because humans take what’s offered to them.  If it’s Shark Week, we’ll watch it.  If it’s Survivor, we’ll watch it.  Because of this tendency, we need to monitor ourselves, asking if what we are watching is what we really want to watch, or if you have something better to be doing.  Most of time, we have something better to be doing. 

My friend, Vanessa, revealed to me that she has started keeping track of the duties around the house she completes while her husband glues himself to a football game.  Lately, she had performed a closet reorganization.  Noticing that and the other tasks she has completed makes obvious all that would have been undone had she chose to watch television and has brought to light the sacrifice TV watching can be.  She recognizes that 3 hours can add a lot of productive activity to one’s life.        

Another popular application is to have the TV on in the background.  As long as you’re devoting some attention to the tube (and you are if it’s on), just that much are you choosing to miss out on the experience of what you are actually doing.  What TV adds to your ambiance is equally being subtracted from your main focus.  Why do we leave it on in this case?  Like the others, it’s too quiet and lonely to be faced with mere reality.

Anything, though, that reveals discontentment with reality is actually a gift for showing us that default.  Let us use the opportunity to work on the problem made evident by the television.  Ask yourself, “Why is a television-less existence an empty one?”, and you’ll get your answer as to why you watch so much of it.

TV as it should be:  What is life to you?  What is each hour, each memory?  Do ANY precious memories come from staying up late channel surfing or getting engrossed in the sitcom or drama of your choice?  Does TV watching EVER fall in line with how you really want to live your life?  I’m sure there are those that do and are honestly content with their pattern of life and, thus, content with television’s hand in keeping them where they are.  But I know that there are those of you not content with that, but continue to watch.  TV can be such a trap that we need to work to avoid. 

I used to think of every semi-interesting TV program as a not-to-be-missed opportunity.  With this thinking, so is every book to read, human to meet, or food to try.  It has to be on your terms. 

Rather than a mere reduction, we need to redefine the TV’s role and let our reduced viewing become the product of this redefinition.  TV is simply a resource for passive entertainment and education.  When I am ready to go back to living my life, I shut the TV off like I’ve finished a meal—I’m full.  Get to know yourself so you can tell when you are done with TV as you can if you are done eating, reading, sleeping, etc.     

Those who can break TV’s hold find themselves with several hours a week to try new things—things they have always wanted to put their mind to.  TV can be very productive, relaxing, and entertaining.  But 4.75 hours a day isn’t relaxing, it’s wasteful for those that are so much more capable, but choose to limit the richness of their existence.  How meaningless do people consider their lives to be to not regret all those hours lost?  TV’s not a replacement for life, just a tool to enhance it.