At the end of the day I really love climbing into bed, remote in hand and surfing the TV stations. I'm absolutely obsessed with the food network which is a bit of a running joke in my house as I really, really, hate to cook.
Now I know it may seem ridiculous to watch cooking shows. I watch them for how they make me feel. I really delight in watching passionate people create something new and I guess I just get swept up in their enthusiasm. These shows make me feel good and that's exactly how I want to feel before I shut my eyes at night. Good. After all isn't that why we say "Good night"?
I've also noticed that we seem to be bombarded with "reality shows" with, in your face contestants, who are ready and willing to take down their fellow competitors no matter the cost or consequence. The bickering, the back biting
the whole negative enchilada (that's food network talk folks) and all for the chance to win. It's a game of go hard or go home, and often they do, only to appear in yet another reality show dancing up a storm!
Now, I know not everyone loves a reality show, yet the truth is these shows tend to get the highest seasonal ratings. Yep, that's right, some people love them and tune in eagerly to watch them each week.
Why is that? Why is there such a desire in the populace to watch shows that make us feel .... not so good? Is it that we can safely, from our lounge room chairs, sit in judgment of these people thinking "I would never say, do, act that way? Is that it? Or do we secretly enjoy watching them squirm, cry, rant and sometimes fail? When did this become an accepted form of TV entertainment and what does 'my' viewing of it say about me as a spiritual being?
I'm not sure about you, but I know these shows just don't make me feel good inside. I've watched them in the past and somehow I can feel my energy changing. I become impatient and angry and worse, self-righteous. I forget that the people I'm watching are....actual people and not just network puppets sent to entertain me with their drama and misery. To me it's not just a reality show, it's a reality check! A nice little reminder that I am solely responsible for my spiritual journey and I can make it a good one or a bad one. It's my choice, just like what I watch, read or listen to is my choice. Sometimes the external really does influence the internal.
I realise now that my life 'is' a reality show and it's catalogued
with episodes of comedy, drama, happy and sad. I get to be the director, the star and write my own scripts every second of every day. I can cook up a storm (or burn it!) dance to my tune or give myself the last rose, it's really is all up to me.
So today I think I will sit back, relax and tune into an episode of my life where I make good choices that leave my spirit feeling.....good.
Namaste
Rachael Anderson
