Enough With The News!!!
Motivation comes more from focussing on the good I can create than focussing on the bad created by others.
Yesterday, I read that Germany had issued a formal travel warning to its citizens traveling to the USA, citing safety and detention risks. I researched it a little and found this article in Condé Nast Traveler which lists 13 European countries that have issued such warnings.
I found myself feeling blue about that. Like, what kind of a country am I living in where 13 countries are warning their citizens to be careful about coming here?
A Flash of Futility
At that moment, I questioned—for a few minutes—the value of my work. I spend my days as an advisor and coach helping accomplished leaders, creatives and guides. I help them perceive in awe and create in magic so they can fulfill their aspirations to give great gifts to the world while leading wonderful lives for themselves.
Because I work with influential people, I like to think that I am doing something to improve at least one little corner of the world. But for a moment, after reading about the travel advisories, I felt futile. My own ability to perceive in awe and create in magic felt elusive. My work felt pointless.
What Am I Feeding My Mind?
Then, I remembered that a Zen student of mine had asked me recently: “Do you think you should look at the news a little less often?” Like, maybe what comes out of my consciousness is related to what I put into it?
I have developed the almost nervous habit of picking up my phone while waiting the three minutes for a client to hop on Zoom with me. I look at the New York Times to see if the headlines have refreshed and feel disappointed if they haven’t—since I last looked 30 minutes ago. Then, I swipe over to Apple News to look at the headlines there.
The thing is, being a well-informed citizen has always been a point of pride. It also is important to my work with philanthropists and foundations. But I am realizing that reminding myself too often of the world’s troubles is a lot less productive than concentrating on the good I can do.
As an example, I work with Amber Waves Farm, a women-led, non-profit, local farm that educates farmers, feeds the food insecure, provides a community hub and on and on. Working with Amber Waves helps me build towards the world I envision, one filled with peace and shared abundance where we feel at ease enough to play.
As another example, in addition to my leadership coaching, I am the resident teacher at Cambridge Zen Center (CZC). At CZC, residents—who include therapists and PhD students and mathematicians and on and on—live communally together while holding a space for outsiders to come and enquire into their spiritual lives. Like Amber Waves, CZC is a sort of kindness farm.
(In fact, as I reread this, I realize that is what I do: I help create kindness farms—schmaltzy as that may sound.)
You Can Choose Energy Over Exhaustion
Sitting and realizing that looking at the news on my phone made me feel futile about the work I do with these two amazing organizations—among many others—told me that I need to look at the news less. I don’t want to be tired. I want to be energized. I want to help.
I don’t need to know quite so much about what is bad in the world in order to build on the good.
In fact, it is said: “The wise man forgets the bad and builds on the good.” Your world becomes what you focus on.
I wrote an article about that a while back:
Here is what I am doing
I am keeping my journal near.
Instead of filling my little three minute gaps with news scrolling, I am writing ideas. Or simply drinking tea.
That leaves me with more energy to do good.
Let’s Talk
I am wondering: What is your experience with reducing your news calories? How do we stay informed without draining our creative or moral energy?
Leave a comment below, or just tap “like” to let me know you’re out there.
And here is what a few other Substack writers have to say on the subject:
How To Stay Intentionally Informed by Courtney Martin
Breaking Free From The New Cycle by Mark Friedman
The Cost Of Staying Informed by Hollie McKay
With love,
Colin
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About 10 years ago, I was sitting in a room with my parents while they were watching the news. As always, they became angry and frustrated about the series of reports, especially those associated with politics. I realized that was a regular occurrence, and I stopped watching the news that very day.
I was most taken by the thought: "They're more concerned about who's the president than they are about controlling the things that actually affect their daily quality of life." It's not good for the nervous system to have such a diet. I even cleaned my social media timelines to not entice the algorithms to feed me a steady stream of negativity by design.
Good morning and this is just what I needed to read right now. Thank you for sharing this and the journal on hand is going in my bag right now. Keep shining 💡