It's 9AM
I’m going on a diet for the rest of the summer.
A news diet.
I like to know things, so I’m a skimmer.
I skim headlines from a lot of places every day, but hit some of the major outlets too.
Just to look.
Just to keep an eye on the pulse of things.
And this morning I noticed a word.
It popped up six times in six hooks.
That word was problem.
He’s got a problem.
They’ve got a problem.
We’ve got a problem.
And my first reaction to almost any problem is, we can figure out a solution.
Except I know what they’re doing.
It’s called a hook for a reason.
The editors are trying to reel in my eyeballs and get my brain agitated because of all the “problems” in the world.
A long laundry list of dastardly deeds and acts being committed across the globe.
Bad things.
Bad things that are supposed to make me worry.
Make me afraid and concerned and ready.
But…
Ready for what?
It feels like a perpetual state of crisis.
Which may be true.
Or is it.
Because today, the sun is supposed to shine.
The sky is blue.
There’s a happy hour after work with discounted drafts and a free music concert in the plaza downtown.
Bring your lawn chairs and leave the coolers at home.
There’s a long day of work today, and that’s no different than most others.
There’s yard work tomorrow and a weekend off from baseball before we head to State and Regionals, and then pick up on some Invitationals as a guest player.
It’s summer time and the living is easy and all that really matters is warm weather and good vibes.
It’s okay to be aware, it’s safer that way.
But when I lived in Florida, I skipped the news for almost eight years and still, here we are.
I bet there were some of the same headlines even.
I know there were some of the same worries.
The world going to hell, and the news needing you to read it or watch it or listen to it.
And if I think back, the same thing was happening when I was younger.
Sure, the names change, but not the hooks.
Not how they reel you in.
Because one thing is always certain.
We can’t get our fill of fear.
Maybe I’ll just change what I’m consuming for the diet.
Work on getting a svelte attitude and approach to life.
Especially one where there’s no room for fear.
Would you give up something to change your mind?
1984 (speaking of news)
Beneath the Dragoneye Moons: Oathbound Healer
Qualify (The Atlantis Grail Book 1)
Surviving The Evacuation, Book 2: Wasteland
I quit watching after the former leader of the U.S. was illegitimately put in the White House. I have no desire to hear anything political, how the world is going to hell, etc. etc.
Like my spouse says: “I am only concerned with what happens in my circle.”
We did the same thing after President Trump did not win the re election. I got so tired of all the stuff. I quit twitter, got rid of all news on tv, facebook, everyplace. Life felt better.