Addictions

In an effort to cut my budget as well as cut the crap from my life, I canceled cable on January 1st.  It was part of my New Year's resolution strategy of focusing on authenticity and abundance, and television does not fit into either of those two ambitions.  Lent began this week, which is every Catholic's opportunity for a resolution "do over," so this week I am checking the pulse on my resolutions to see how I'm doing.  So far, so good.

I have not watched TV during the week for two months, and I don't miss it one bit.  I actually have time to focus on family, friends, work, writing, and myself. Granted, I watch a bit of TV on the weekends when I am at the cabin, which has a satellite, but to watch TV seems awkward and uncomfortable.  I didn't think I watched TV that much before my resolutions, but I am beginning to realize that what I have experienced over the last two months has been no different than breaking a habit, an addiction.  Sitting in front of the idiot box each night became commonplace and comfortable for me, as is the case for many millions of Americans.  I'm a news junkie, so I watched the talking heads every night during the market crash and during the election last year, but I still watched the various addiction shows so prevalent in the amazingly and sadly popular reality TV. 

I've replaced TV watching with other, more healthy addictions: reading, writing, exercising, playing Scrabble with my wife . . . living.  I am no longer addicted to someone else's drama.  Life requires movement.  Let's move.

Comments

[The Hiker]

Indeed. I have stepped away from the political firestorm . . . but only for a moment. Limbaugh, Hannity and DeMint have drawn me back in. I'm producing a Limbauh-Palin 2012 bumper sticker. How many would you like?

[Jim Mc Mahon]

Right on Joel, good food for thought. Actualy it would hurt me more to give up the computer than the TV.

[Steve Hull]

I agree with you. Now let's get on with Obama, Congress, and the economy in general. I itching for a good itellectual argument.

[The Hiker]

Thanks for the post, Adam. It is true that T.V. has some positive aspects, but I don't think I trust myself yet to keep the black box from being the time vampire that it is for me when I have ready access to the remote. I applaud your effort at having friends over to watch "Lost"...what a fun, free, and friend-focused activity. Sometimes I really wish I could watch a show or two during the week, but at this point I'll only allow myself TV time only when I'm working out at the gym. Not a bad trade-off.

So is "Lost" really as good as they say?

[Adam]

T.V. has it's ups too. It's a good value for entertainment, and keeps me from spending $20+ every time I go to the movies. I'm not saying it isn't mostly crap, because it is, but it has it's redeeming moments. I really enjoy having my friends over and watching Lost, but for the most part, you're correct.