The Mass Media is Not Your Friend
Life in the modern world is not always a trip in the sunshine. Especially today.
But as a probate lawyer and someone who cares about families and their emotional health, I believe that it is made so much harder by the tendency of our world to suffocate you with mental junk and global negativity.
I believe that the number #1 danger for families today is allowing today's world to starve your brain with "junk food" and deaden your spirit with the overwhelming feeling that you are small, insignificant ... helpless.
I have learned to avoid the 24-7 news channels and the constant talking heads. I figure that I will see what I need to when seeking out resources for our clients about current events on the web. But recently, I did, in fact, watch some CNN.
Now, CNN is about as bland as you can get--it is "normal" to "normal" people. But I think we can both agree that we don't want "normal" lives (well at least I don't!)! Those of us who are wanting to go somewhere in life must have better things to do than listen to talking heads opine about dozens of tragedies that we can't (and won't) be able to do anything about.
But right now, especially with the BP spill, the world is SWIMMING in negativity. And you need to be serious and proactive about it. Because -- if you don't -- it will kill your state of mind, kill your desire to succeed, even kill your dreams and everything you really care about.
News-Flash: The mass news media is NOT your friend.
They feed on fear, and they sell paranoia, division and hyperbole. It is what they do.
And not only must you protect YOURSELF from this drip, drip, drip of depression, you need to fight it on behalf of your family.
Tell them what is GOOD. Greet them with a smile and with encouragement. Tell them what they are doing RIGHT. Give them a voice to the hope within their bones--which is too often buried in a junkpile of media-fueled negativity.
You (and they) need to celebrate little tiny victories EVERY DAY.
This is an essential skill for those with a family: when you have a major victory in your life, you need to find encouraging people who will celebrate it with you. Be that person for your family members. Because GOOD NEWS is NEWS INDEED.
End Rant.
About the Author
Kimberly Hegwood is a Houston, Texas Estate Planning attorney specializing in family law, adoption, divorce and custody cases, as well as probate, asset protection, estate planning, and elder law. Unlike most Houston lawyers, Kim is a lifetime family advocate who focuses on long-term relationships with her clients and the generational needs of their families. For more information, please visit http://www.hegwoodlaw.com
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