for fun alternatives to watching TV. Or search the following categories:Katherine Westphal
My journey to trashing my television set began on September 11, 2001. That day my boyfriend decided to put me, then pregnant, our one-year-old son, and my daughter out onto the street. We were homeless. It was an ordeal to be certain. We moved precariously among four different shelters, all located in various crime-infested areas of Denver. However, something strange happened with the children. They began to behave better. It took about a year to isolate the cause to the absence of television. It took another year to decide to get rid of the TV. It has been a strange journey to say the least.
My children now read more, play outside more, socialize more, and are generally happier. They have adjusted to the point that they do not really miss it. They have too much else to do. I have no doubts that these beneficial effects will continue and will reverberate throughout their entire lives.
Founder of Trash Your TV! from Boulder, Colorado.
Rev. Juliet Nightingale
They were first coming out with television when I was a child (yes, I'm giving my age away) with the round black and white screen. In the UK, TV broadcast only operated a few hours per day, then grew and grew in time. I remember as a child that, whenever I saw one of those devices in a room, I'd edge away from it and even try to hide from it! I found it invasive -- even when it was off! I must have sensed the Orwellian ramifications way back then. I hated the thing! Being visually impaired and trying to make any sense of what was on that round B&W screen was more burdensome than I cared to be bothered with ... so I was happy to have the excuse of not being able to see it and disappear -- back to my piano or drawing pad, thank you very much.
Of course, being in different environments at different times throughout my life, I have, indeed, been exposed to television and it did become easier to see once colour was introduced and the screen became larger and more square. It's much easier to discern something when it's in colour. Still, the TV deeply disturbed me and what sent me 'over the top' is when I came to America and saw all of the horrible adverts! I never saw anything so distasteful as American television ... and now the UK has followed suit with implementing advertising and more sensationalism, etc.
As it turns out, I have personally never owned a television -- ever! I've found TV to be extremely harmful, toxic and invasive -- to say the very least -- and it's so full of lies, violence and sensationalism, etc. (not to mention the obsession with sex and nudity); plus there are so many subliminal manipulations going on, I just can't have the thing around.
I live alone, for example, and, whenever I've considered sharing a space with someone else, I insist that I will not live in a place where there's a television present. I still live alone... It's strange, because I see people's homes and pictures of people's homes and they've got the TV and a whole set-up that's more resembling of some kind of shrine -- a SHRINE! -- all centred on television! These flipping things are HUGE! Furthermore, when I'm in someone's space and they've got the TV on, they tend to only half listen to what I'm saying (which is extremely rude) and they're always distracted by the TV flashing in their face. When I state that television is toxic, I'm not kidding! Television does more damage to you than you can even imagine!
Besides all that, I'm way too busy to spend time watching telly. I read a lot, take walks and meditate. I'm a writer, musician, artist; I build websites, run support groups, do counselling and healing work, etc. Where's the time to spend in front of a telly? My computer monitor is enough 'telly' for me! LOL ;) At least I can control what appears on my monitor, however.
Getting back to the Orwellian matter, I firmly believe that TV is used to both manipulate AND monitor us. In fact, years ago, I heard that devices were inserted into newer TVs that enabled the two-way viewing -- just like the telescreen in Orwell's 1984. Graham Nash in his song 'TV Guide' states:
Did you ever wonder why
There are cameras in the sky?
You can see them all on high
Looking at the people
Did you ever wonder when
They'll come and take you in again?
They'll be listening on your line
Looking through your TV
And the ghost of George Orwell
Is turning in his grave
Is everybody a slave?
Did you ever wonder why
There are blinders on your eyes
But they're a blessing in disguise
Check the TV Guide
To me, the TV is used as a brain-washing machine. It's amazing how much it influences people in our western world. Even in dialogues, books and articles, people constantly refer to TV programmes, their characters and content, and yet I've got NO idea what they're talking about! It's strange to realise how much our world revolves round the television!
On another important note, I wrote an article about the dying process and here's what I included therein with regards to television:
"Anyone who's dealing with a dying person needs to switch off the TV and the overhead light! Since one is becoming more removed from the physical plane, the TV blaring is insidious to the one who's in the process of transitioning....
It's a shame that medical institutions—hospitals, hospices, etc.—subject the patient to TV and harsh lights and noises. Whenever I've walked into a patient's room, I've never found anything except a TV and yet nothing for listening to music! One who is dying needs a very serene environment and one that's conducive to his or her process of transitioning. Whenever I've been deathly ill, I've always wanted music and I cannot stress enough how healing and comforting music is. TV, on the other hand, is extremely invasive and is utterly inappropriate for one who is dying and something to be completely avoided."
I'm so pleased and grateful to live a TV-free life and I'm even more grateful for being able to avoid the manipulation, brainwashing, violence and other very harmful effects of watching television. I live a life that's rich and full and who could want more? :)
--Mystic and Minister of Metaphysics, Toward The Light, NDE Support & Interest Group
Martin Thomas
Even children's programming can be dark and filled with suspense. Fear appears to be the key, and this is the main reason we chose to do without television entirely many years ago.
We are consistant in our vigilance. We will not enter a restaurant or public place that has a television operating. I have often covered the screen in an aircraft, where movies filled with graphic violence are regularly placed unavoidably in front of every passenger in the plane, including children who would not be allowed by law to see those movies on the ground. My children are aged 2-10. These movies are Pg13. Need I say more?
We decided the only way around this was to get a private aircraft, as we could never by sure what would be shown to our children on commercial aircraft these days.
I know this would be a difficult choice for many, but we have made it an easy choice for us, and we have not looked back. Our children are fearless, creative, and communicative and they spend all their spare time creating together, reading, and playing. Our home is full of harmony. They lack nothing being without a TV. For us, it has meant that we have had time to focus on our goals and dreams and realize the success that we have today.
Real Estate Developer, Very Fabulous Properties
Anne Taylor
I have not had a TV now for about 10 years. It took the licensing authorities 5 letters and a visit to be convinced that I didn't have one. None of my family miss it when they visit. I have no space for it. I know there are some programmes that I would like to watch i.e. horse racing and ice skating and foreign films for languages would be useful but...........My life is full with people, books and all sorts of activities.
Director, Languages for All
Carrie Lauth
I was never much of a TV watcher, being an avid reader. But my family got into some bad habits when I become pregnant with my second child. I was so very sick and caring for a very active toddler. I would often lie on the couch and put a video in for him so I could get some rest. To this day, the music of Pinocchio brings on waves of nausea! I noticed that my child would become hyper and start misbehaving the moment the set was turned off. This really concerned me so I became determined to strictly limit the TV time.
Not long after this we moved to a more remote area and since we didn't have cable (never have!) we literally didn't get any channels. So that was a natural deterrent. Then our set broke and we didn't replace it for a long time. Eventually we did buy another set but we use it for the occasional movie rental a couple of times a month. I've noticed that my kids are able to entertain themselves better without television in their daily lives, and they also get along better with one another. While we haven't trashed the set entirely, we have a good handle on it and it doesn't control our days. We enjoy TV-free days and even weeks. We spend our evenings playing and talking together. Life is good!
Website Owner, Natural-Moms.com
Marilyn Jenett
Over 20 years ago, determined to overcome my financial struggles, and using the mental and spiritual laws that I now teach, I created a renowned business almost "overnight".
Concentrating on applying the principles, within 6 weeks I was on the cover of the Los Angeles Times with my new business, syndicated around the world and on numerous TV shows. I had many requests for my publicist and I don't think those people believed me when I told them I didn't have a publicist, that I did it with my mind.
Well, my career evolved and has lasted through ups and downs of over 20 years, but in recent years I have had a strong intuitive prompting to find a more meaningful and soul rewarding path, along with my corporate business, or perhaps to replace it. Along with my business, I tried various opportunities that I attracted, made money at them, but none of them was IT. I knew a transition was at hand and that I was re-inventing myself, but couldn't discover the direction. I had always been intuitive and in touch with my subconscious, but it wasn't coming through.
Then in August of 2003, I asked myself. What did I do 20 years ago when I created that striking success? Yes, I remembered specifically applying the spiritual prosperity principles that I had learned to love. And I am doing that now, as usual. But what else did I do when I got the idea from within to start a location company for events? What did I do to allow the inner voice to speak to me and guide me to success? AND THEN IT HIT ME! One significant memory popped into my head. I GAVE AWAY MY TV!
I thought about this carefully. I hadn't remembered that in all those years, but it now came clearly into my conscious mind. I knew what I had to do.
I realized I had been watching quite a bit of television lately - not the bad news, always avoided that - but more as a form of relaxation and mindless entertainment. So I pulled the cable plug from the wall. Well, that didn't work. Too easy to put back in. I said, okay, I will "bite the bullet" and call the cable company. I asked them, if they turned off the service, would they put it back on when I wanted at no extra charge? They agreed. So, okay, no TV. Let's see what happens.
Well, for the first day or two, I would wander over and turn on the TV, forgetting. But after that first day, it was so strange. I didn't miss it. Even when I went to the gym, I couldn't seem to focus on the TV monitors there. Hmmm, interesting. I had planned to try doing without TV for a few weeks or a month. And I could always rents movies.
From the time I had the service turned off, one thing after another presented itself to me from the Universe and all the directions led to my teaching prosperity principles. Outer calls and promptings "out of the blue"; an almost inner compulsion to sit down at the computer at times, and at those times, the right techniques for the lessons would just flow through me from my guiding Source. A 30-year storehouse of information, yet the format of the lessons and each specific technique came to me as I was supposed to receive it. I couldn't even force it. Then the doors opened automatically for students to come.
Was I prepared for this? Can I really take 30 years of study and application and growth and present it in a form that would benefit others in a short time, so that they would not have to go through my long journey to learn? I admit that for a moment or two I doubted if I had all my noodles. But then the results started coming in. Maybe coincidence? More results ... and then I knew. What I had been searching for and what had been lying below the surface of my consciousness for so many years had come to fruition. I had always thought I had "missed the boat", that I should have had a career teaching metaphysics, but I never thought I actually could. And I couldn't until I had reached that level of business accomplishment, spiritual maturity, and faith where I was ready. My journey of 30 years brought me to this moment in time to be able to share and impart knowledge to help others. And while my Feel Free to Prosper program continues to evolve with students coming from all over the globe, lucrative business projects keep coming my way that take very little of my time. My life has been taken to a whole new level in meaning and purpose. And to think ... I may never have known this had I been sitting around watching "Lifetime" movies!
As of today, I have still not had the TV service turned back on, although I keep thinking I will. But I just don't miss it. I have rented movies. I am enjoying the time instead communicating with others, my loved ones and students, and expressing myself on my own network and many other networks on the Ryze site. My prosperity program has brought me the greatest gratification of my life.
Now I am not suggesting that you all give up your televisions. What I am suggesting though, is that we do have a choice as to what we allow to enter our minds and consciousness. And if we are searching our soul for answers, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to get rid of a little distraction.
Prosperity Teacher, Feel Free to Prosper
Michael Godsey
I grew up without a TV and when I was told about them my parents explained that everything was fiction. I never owned a TV until I moved out. Then it was for amusement only. I might watch two hours of TV per week now. I don't have cable or satellite only one local channel comes in good enough to watch, 39 Fox. I just watch the sci-fi shows then.
Furniture installer.
Michael Iwasaki
I have found the value of television over the years begin to deteriorate in value. To the point where they must scrape the bottom of the barrel to find new ways to entertain the audience. Especially the reality tv shows. I find it incredibly amusing on how many sick people there are that find entertainment in watching other people eat worms, go on crazy dates or the like.
Even the news I find little value as I have found what is in the news compared to what actually has happened can be quite different and tainted to what they want you to see and hear.
I prefer to "create MY own life, and create MY own entertainment" rather than watching someone else live their life, that is strictly a fictional life.
As a business owner, I have found that I simply do not have the time to spend on watching poor entertainment, however would rather "create my own entertainment".
Public Relations Advisor, http://www.24-7pressrelease.com
Quick Success Quotes
John:
I went outside and unhooked the cable tv to the house. My 7 and 8 yr olds were initially curious why there was no reception, and I said, "the tv is broken". 1 yr later I can say that we dont miss it at all. I have taught them to play chess and poker. We read, take walks, play games, clean, cook, you name it. Tv is evil and sucks your brain dry.
Laurita:
I have not watched TV in six years. I am the least stressed out person I know, and I have six kids.
Cashier from Boulder, Colorado.
Kristina Koromzay:
I don’t know how people find the time to watch TV. I haven’t watched anything in years.
Musician from Boulder, Colorado.
Cathy:
I haven't had tv for almost 6 years and I love it! My children (4 and 7 years old) hardly even know what tv is like, they've really only had videos.
www.onestopinternetbusiness.com
If you would like to add your success story to this page, then please e-mail it to us at: success@trashyourtv.com.