What are you watching these days? Do you get all your news from your favorite news app in the morning? Seen any good movies lately? Do you have any weekly shows that you follow or, are you binge watching a series that you need to catch up on? No matter which of the above questions you may have answered yes to, it is important from time to time to consider the effects that your viewing habits may be having upon you.
I hope that the things which you see and hear on social media, the news and in the various entertainments that you choose to partake of, enhance and uplift your life. But, from time to time I test that premise out in my own life. You can too! Below is a series of questions and things to reflect upon as you watch your favorite videos, movies etc. For a week write down the name of every social media account, video, movie or news show that you see thusly:
What I Watch. How I Feel Before The Show. How I Feel After The Show.
Where appropriate, look more closely at the programming that you consume and reflect on the following questions:
1.What does this program say about dating, marriage and the family?
2. Does it depict family relationships in a godly way?
3. How do people treat one another in (business, school, church or at leisure)? Compare and contrast that with biblical standards.
4. What philosophical principles are revealed?
5. What does the Bible say about the issues raised in that article, movie, or other entertainment?
Is all the bad news that you read or see in entertainment causing you stress? Sometimes we don't realize how the bad news or depressing outcome of a show might effect us. More and more people are choosing to not watch the news because the bad news is overwhelming to them. I would not suggest ignoring the events occurring in our world, but I would advise against staying glued to the screen as news media outlets go over and over bad things.
Seek positive news sources and websites and bookmark or subscribe to them. Read the Bible and contemplate God's plan for you everyday. Pray for God's guidance. Take a walk and listen to the birds sing or sit by a local lake or river weekly. Even an easy to care for plant in your apartment can have a positive health benefit for you. Make time for things which will be uplifting daily. As I think about my social media presence or before I plunk myself in front of a screen, I ask myself what is the best way to utilize my time and energy. When we only have a few hours to influence our children for the day, or to spend time with our spouse, is it really a priority to check our Facebook page for comments?
What about reaching out to a lonely relative, friend or neighbor? Perhaps do some volunteer work? Don't ignore your household chores or else they will just pile up and you will have more to do later. Find a church and do a weekly bible study. When entertainment is done in a healthy and balanced way, it is part of the leisure and fun God intended us to add to our life's work. Sometimes, social media gives us updates, and FaceTime helps us stay in touch with those we love who are far away but, it can not replace the hugs and kisses nor the up-close and personal attention that is needed to maintain and thrive your relationships.
If you are not where you know you should be in some area of your life, this time of reflection may be helpful. We can assertain if our time spent with our devices is taking needed time away from doing homework, reaching out to meet new people, or if it is serving to hide us away from the world because we are suffering from depression or fear. Wendy* is struggling from the effects that result from the chronic disease Lupus. She is clearly depressed and anxious and needs help to deal with the psychological toll that the disease has taken on her. Instead, she is hold up in her Upper East Side Manhattan apartment shopping on all the home shopping networks and chatting on Facebook all-day long.
Or, there is Mikhail*, who plays video games whenever he can. His first year at college was more challenging than he thought. The pressure to keep his grades high plus the challenge of making new friends has overwhelmed him. It was hard to go from the popular and smart boy at his Brooklyn prep school to socially marginalized in one year. These two stories are cautionary for all of us. It is important to regularly evaluate our use or misuse of the things that we call tools or entertainment. How are you doing, okay? If not, it may be time for an Entertainment Reboot!
*Names are changed.
