Who Will Cry When You Die\?: Life Lessons From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari pdfdrive com

47.
Go on a News Fast
Negative news sells. In our society, more people will choose to watch the
criminal trial of a celebrity rather than the biography of a truly great human
being. A newspaper with a headline revealing the latest tragedy will sell more
copies than one announcing the latest scientific breakthrough. The real problem
is that it is easy to get addicted to reading and watching negative news. I know
so many people who begin their days by reading less than uplifting newspaper
stories and who end them by catching up on the latest crimes, accidents and
scandals on the late-night news.
I am not against newspapers or television by any stretch of the imagination.
As a matter of fact, I find excellent information in many newspapers and have
learned much from the intelligent TV programs I have watched over the years.
My point is simply this: become more selective in the news you expose your
mind to. Be more deliberate in the way you read your newspaper and in the way
you watch your television. Before you start reading the morning paper, have a
purpose in mind. Use it as an information tool to serve you and to make you
wiser rather than as an excuse to help you pass time.
One of the best ways to wean yourself from the “news addiction” that so
many of us suffer from is to go on a seven-day news fast. Vow not to read even
one negative story in the newspaper or watch even one negative news report on
television for the next week. You will notice two things. First, you will not really
miss out on much information. You will still hear about the most important
stories of the day from the conversations that circulate around your office and
through your encounters at home. Second, you will feel much more peaceful and
serene. As well, you will find that the seven-day news fast offers yet another
benefit: more time to do the things that will truly improve the quality of your
life.

---