Breaking the negative addiction

Here we are again opening the daily newspaper, turning on the news broadcast or checking the internet for the latest headlines. The urge to stay on top of every news event has captivated our curiosity with an opinion or two for good measure. The more tantalizing or juicy the news the greater the appeal is on the audience participation to the extent: a clean looking website is considered too boring for the average reader. And yet, a new trend is moving towards more positive news with good reason. Are you still with me on this? Or, has an urge/passion towards media which sensualize the drama of negative activity have you considering a website with more intreague and hot interactive graphics.

A person's natural and spiritual discernment is compromised/tainted by what we receive and perceive from a negative one-sided news broadcast. It also reduces a person's tolerance and shortens our patience to extend grace to one-another. I recently visited a Bible Study group and realized that these people required the use of personal questions to evaluate my worthiness. It dawned on me that the spiritual gift of discernment wasn't operating amoungst this home fellowship of Christians. Unfortunately, this spirit of skepticism has been fostered by modern society and people have lost the ability to see through the eyes of faith.

Therefore, my goal is to help us consider an even balance between staying informed and achieving a more positive outlook: by listening to the voice that unites people together and even participating in upbeat activities. And yet all too often, the way of the critic undermines the social fabric and level of trust in our community.

The decision to change and act with a more positive attitude is contrary to human nature. It must be taught as a learned experience that shapes our choices through society. The idealogy has its beginning with the family and here's an old teaching that still holds true today:

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

And now: if only our daily news reporters would enact these principles through their writing as they already do a spell and grammar check. Should every news story be published without considering the social impact of these reports that sensualize the drama of negative activity? In conclusion, I would like to challenge more newspapers, television news anchors and internet blogs to help in making a change for our future. Therefore, may the smiles of our children encourage us to reach a positive balance in our lives that begins with the family and community of positive choice.

by Glenn Morrison (09)

courtesy of gracenews (.ca)