The world is a crazy place these days, am I right? (no need to answer, I know I'm right).
If you turn on the news (which I don't) you are apt to hear about how A) the media is 'fake news' or B) that the government is falling apart and Russia is leering over our shoulder like that creepy dude from the bar last night. Don't get me wrong, I am aware of what is happening, I listen to news podcasts and do my best to stay up to date on 'the issues'. However, I refuse to pay too close of attention... why?... because you can't make heads or tails of things these days.
If you are a conservative, your news outlets will be tailored to your ideology- conservatively so. If you are a liberal, your media outlets will be oriented to your more 'liberal' belief system and way of viewing the world. We all want to believe 'OUR' news isn't bias (which ever side of the fence you fall on) but the truth is, it IS bias, sorry to burst your perfectly padded political bubble.
Now, here is the thing, news has become 'sensational' and things that make us afraid or worried, make headline news. You don't see a headline reading, "Man gives kidney to child on the verge of death and saves his life!" because that isn't sensational, it is a guy doing a nice thing. You may be thinking, "But I want to know about Russias creeper status and D-Trumps latest foot in mouth moment." and that is fine, those things should be news and talked about, etc. However, can we also have some news about the good that is happening in the world? The organizations that are rebuilding East New Orleans (not far from where I now live) after the tornado that ripped through two weeks ago. Or the groups fighting hunger, building schools, and changing lives across the globe with their humanitarian efforts?
The funny thing is, this isn't actually new. I say that the news 'has become' but I suppose I should say, 'the news continues to be'... Drew and I have been watching the CNN documentaries about the 60s, 70s, and 80s, that are on Netflix. What you realize in watching this series is how 'afraid' people were in every decade; of disaster, disease, war (cold or otherwise), that broke out in that time and the news was right there covering each and ever moment. The series is amazing and so educational. Our nation has seen so much (and survived) and it is easy to forget that in the chaos of the present moment.
My question for you, dear reader, is how do you filter this media? In an age where it is no longer just the radio, TV and printed news papers- how do you keep yourself from drowning in the flood of information that is available to you at all times? Do you have a favorite news resource? What about a place where you can find out about positive movements happening in the world?
Here are a few things to get into (click to check them out)-
CNN Documentary Series on Netflix
I recognize the fact that the risk is greater these days. The threat of destruction and war is far larger than in the past. I have never really been a 'political' person and I think that is part of the issue in our nation- many of us have been asleep. It is time for an awakening. To see the good we can do as a unit, to stand up and effect change. These movements can start small, in your community or city but the ripples will spread the more speak.
xx
*photo from the CNN documentary series on the 60s
