The News

When I was young, I never watched the news. It was of no interest to me. I hated doing current events for homework. Some of you remember. We had to cut an article out of the newspaper, read it and write a summary. I couldn’t stand that.   Even when we used to gather in the class or auditorium to watch the Apollo lift off.  It was all boring to me. I protested, I pouted and sometimes cried. I hated it. The news was for adults.

After high school I was no longer assigned current events. In college we didn’t do that. “Thank God!”  But I was constantly told, by my brother, to watch the news.  He would not only watch the news but read the entire newspaper every day.  He’d say, “You need to know what’s going on in the world.” My response would be, “No sir, I don’t think so.”  I watch tv for pure entertainment.

 Eventually, as I became older, I noticed I would miss out on things. I never knew what was going on around me; a parade, a special event, or if the J train wasn’t running, (we didn’t have apps then) or even the weather. Finally, after many times getting caught in the rain or being over dressed and having to carry my jacket, I began to watch the news. Just for the weather.

Then it actual started getting interesting. I learned about things happening in my neighborhood and abroad. Interesting things. I learned about events in my area that were free. I learned about political issues that would affect me. And of course, I now knew how to dress for the weather. So, I began watching the news every night before I’d go to bed and then it extended to every morning. It became part of my regiment. I enjoyed what it offered. Could it be I’m growing up.  I am officially an adult. 

Fast forward to today. The news has changed. Times have changed.  The news is filled with much more negative information, stories that sadden me and actions and events that bring me to feel deeply ashamed of my country. It brings a sense of hopelessness, and chaotic energy as I watch the world implode. The anxiety I get when I look at how the world has changed and how we are moving backwards and destroying each other.  So much hate and greed being displayed openly. The feeling of being stuck in a whirlpool of disorder and confusion is disheartening and sometimes devastating. I cannot watch it.  The news is even worse than I used to imagine when I was growing up. It’s more than boring, it’s disturbing and unhealthy for me.  It’s come full circle. I’m no longer interested. I’m right back where I started. 

So, what do I do? How do I respond to this new climate of uncertainty? This climate feels and looks like the world is regressing.  How do I take in all this disastrous behavior and go to work feeling productive and blissful?  How do I function without worrying about the world?   Do I stop watching the news? Is that the answer? That was easy when I was a child but as an adult, there must be more that I can do…

I can persevere. I keep working on what I’m working on.  I keep my focus on the productive things I’m doing.   I keep loving the people I love.  And helping the people I help.  I keep my faith in God. I will continue the work I’ve been called to do. I will stay persistent and endure the good and the bad and keep hope alive.  I will keep my eye on the prize. 

I can’t control the news and the actions of the world, but I can control my movement.

Don’t be distracted by world chaos.  Keep doing what you can do.  Things will turn around.