5 days without a television
January 27th, 2010
Image from Clipartheaven.com
Last Friday evening I had a wonderful dinner with a friend who shared with me that when she and her husband met years ago they had one television set in their home and a small black and white one in the closet outside. They rarely watched television and when the main TV broke they did not replace it. Instead if something was important enough for them to want to watch it, they would go outside and pull the small black and white television from the closet, hook it up and have to sit close enough to see the picture on the miniature screen. Years later they have a television but mainly watch movies on their computer instead of TV shows. During this conversation I realized how much I had fallen back on having the TV on in the background recently and that my productivity was decreasing as days passed. I decided right then and there to cut out television totally from my daily life and I voiced my intention to my friend who supported me in my endeavor.
It was late when I arrived home on Friday evening and I managed to fall into bed without the sound of the television in the background. I soon found myself sound asleep and dreaming of things other than television shows. Saturday I awoke to a mommy/daughter day with my nine year old and she was very supportive when I reminded her that I had given up television. She told me she would join me in my endeavor and she was not going to watch TV either for at least the next 30 days (as 30 days was my original time frame). As I worked on several projects, she read and wrote in her journal before the house filled up with children as the neighborhood kids all arrived to play. By mid afternoon, it was quiet again and my daughter and I pulled out a deck of cards, kicked back and played rummy, laughing and joking as the time flew by. We enjoyed a lovely meal as a family, talking about various things in our lives with no television set to create background noise. It was a beautiful day.
As my head hit the pillow I found myself drawn to one of the books on my nightstand entitled “Rebuilding from Ground Zero” by Seni Hazzan. The book was a gift from a dear friend who said it felt to her like the perfect gift for me, and she was very right. I fell asleep reading it and awoke to find myself reaching for it to move forward into the next chapter. These last few days have passed quickly and quietly as I find myself being much more productive again without the buzz of a television in the background as I enjoy my days. I have now been 5 days without television and I really don’t miss it. Now this is not a new thing for me as I have gone without television in the past and always find myself enjoying life much more without it, why then does it become a part of my life again as time goes by? I really don’t have an answer for that question other than my household is made up of more than just myself and perhaps it is the sound of cartoons or the Golden Girls music that draws me in. Perhaps it is an escape for the times when I am about to move forward into something bigger than where I am currently sitting and fear creeps in, so I find myself drawn to something that will distract me? I don’t really know, but what I do know is that my life is far more abundant and productive when television is not an active part of it. As I continue on my journey of 30 days without television, I will embrace the joy that comes my way and I encourage others to take a look at what part television plays in their lives and determine for themselves if perhaps it’s time to turn it off and tune back into the REAL reality of their life!
In gratitude,
Caryn
Caryn FitzGerald is a motivational columnist, speaker and writer, she has been featured in and written several books, including “Tulips in the Sand: A Riley Matthews Mystery.” Read more from Caryn at her website CarynFitzgerald.com.
EmbracingMyJourney L.L.C. was created by Caryn FitzGerald in 2008.
Caryn, known as "The Manifesting Queen" is a motivational columnist, speaker and writer, she has been featured in and published several books, including "Tulips In The Sand" "Fish Sticks, Books and Blue Jeans" “Manifest Success” “Visual Arts Junction Interviews” & “Online Marketing Success Stories..."
Caryn is a domestic violence survivor who has triumphed over a 10-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. She is a wife, mother, writer, speaker, blogger, coach and a health food enthusiast Click to connect with Caryn at her website Or click here to get inspired by her latest ebook “Living the Life of My Dreams” There may be paid links on this page, click here to read the blog disclaimer.
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I am so grateful to be able to inspire others to take action and make changes in their lives. Thank you both for blessing me!
In gratitude,
Caryn
Congratulations Caryn,
A whole new world of life is in progress! Enjoy these precious time with your loved ones!
Something bigger and better is coming and YOU are bringing about that reality!!!
Blessings and Visions of Greatness to YOU, YOURS and all those who understand YOUR WORDS.
Brian J. Donley
Author, The Original Psychology of Success, Proven Methods to Attain a Positive, Powerful Winning Personality
You have definitely struck a nerve with me! I watch FAR too much television. Actually, half the time, like you mentioned, I’m not even WATCHING it, I just have it ON in the background! Ridiculous! I’m going to try to follow your lead and go without! Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m new to the “blogosphere” and have just found your site. I think your writing is beautiful and I LOVE the look of your page. Thanks for sharing this!