#3 TV is like a Brain

A TV works like a brain. It creates images from seemingly nowhere and gives us a new reality to be sucked into. Maybe this is why watching TV is so relaxing, and maybe this is why commercials don't bother us that much anymore. We're so used to uninteresting things appearing out of nowhere–and just tuning out from it as a reaction.

We're masters of tuning out from things that we're not interested in.

If someone around us has a conversation that we don't care much about, we can shut it out and not hear a word of it.

Ironically, when there are things we strongly dislike–we automatically seem to tune in deeper.

Thoughts are constantly appearing out of nowhere just like images on the TV screen.

Some programs we love, some we hate.

When there's something we love, we tend to stay for the show and enjoy it.

Just like with our thoughts, when they tune into something that produces nice feelings we stay for the ride.

But when there's a re-run of the Ricky Lake Show our hands will suddenly be doing impressive acrobatics to reach the controller and switch to another channel.

When we get thoughts that produces bad feelings in us, why don't we just switch the channel?

Because we really don't–we stay for the ride.

You've likely gone through your favourite anxious pattern hundreds of times, yet you'd be hard pressed to watch all seasons of Lost over and over again.

It's Not That Easy

Thoughts appear from seemingly nowhere, and we really don't have the ability to switch channels on command.

We don't control our thoughts.

But we do control what we pay attention to.

When a commercial break hits, you just tune out.

It's still there, and you may not like it–but it's in the background.

You've got better things to do.

Thoughts that produce uncomfortable feelings and lowers your spirit can be treated the same way.

There's nothing to be solved in them, they're just thoughts saying things that you aren't enjoying.

You can tune out, allow them to pass.

New thoughts will appear, and they can bring on a whole new experience.

This is Not Escapism

We're not talking about avoiding problems.

We're talking about your feelings being a barometer showing you the quality of thoughts you're currently entertaining.

A problem that looks devastating on a bad day–can be a charming experience on a good day.

You can't worry yourself out of your worry.

The only thing worry leads to is worry.

George Pransky said it best (and this one would could work as both a refrigerator magnet and a lower back tattoo):

"The only trick in life is to be grateful for your highs and graceful with your lows".

Whatever problem we're facing, it will always be beneficial to face it in a good mood.

If something worries you that doesn't need instant solving–consider that the problem itself may not be the problem, the worry might be.

Come back in a better mood and see if it looks the same, and then deal with it.

At least that's what I've found to be invaluable in my life.