I was at work one day a couple weeks ago when the gauntlet was thrown down. Someone said that I couldn't give up TV for 3 months. It sort of turned into a bet, only if I win I don't get anything. I don't know exactly when the last day of the thing is, but I think it's sometime in the middle of April. There are 2 major exceptions; I get to watch the Super Bowl which I did and enjoyed. It was a good game that the Bears should have won if Rex Grossman wasn't a leading candidate for the worst QB to start a Super Bowl. Second I get to watch March Madness.
I hadn't realized how many things in my life involved TV. When I eat at home with my dad, the TV is almost always on in the background. When I eat lunch at work, I watch The Price is Right. When I lay in bed at night falling asleep I usually have on Sports Center. Just today I was eating lunch by myself in my house and I had to make the decision not to turn on the TV several times. It's been maybe 2 or 3 weeks now, and it has really been a battle for integrity. Really the only person that can hold me accountable to this is myself. I could watch TV and no one would know. So far so good though...
One thing that has been really good is the amount of time I have spent reading. Now when I am getting ready for bed I am almost certain to have a QT instead of just watching TV. I mean I am pretty consistent about have QTs anyways, but now its like an automatic. I am also going back through some books that I have already read, and just looking for things that I have underlined in the past. So far it has been a really cool experience. I don't know if I was stay satisfied with my books for the whole time, but for now it is a nice retreat from the pervasiveness of the media.
Another thing that has been affected by this is my prayer life. I have noticed in the past when I have given things up that I am more likely to pray. Especially when I am desiring those things. I think God must find it so entertaining to watch me fumble through life thinking of Him when I want something or need help with something. I was thinking yesterday how funny it is for God to be all around us all the time. If God fills the space of this universe, which I believe He does, how funny is it that God is in the shower with us, int he air around our bed at night, sitting at the table with us while we eat. He must take an immeasurable joy from watching His creation in all our little habits and routines. How much more when we think of Him in it with us?
So no TV for a while. I think I will be able to make it. Most of the time it isn't even that tempting. Wish me luck.
1 comment:
no TV... good one! i'm a bit of a TV addict.
actually, i don't watch it. i never turn it on. i don't own a tv, so during the times i lived on my own it's not a problem. i can easily do without it... until it's on and infront of me - in which case i cannot get away. i stayed with my brother who has foxtel (cable for you?!) and i lay on his floor watching tv (shitty tv at that) for days and nights in a row. it's a sad sad story!!
good luck with your 3 months. i'm sure you can do it... and you're right, other things in your life will change for the better because of it. think of all the time you've given yourself back...
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