REMAINING OPTIMISTIC IN TROUBLED TIMES

In these troubled times, sometimes it is very hard to remain optimistic. The world seems to be in chaos and freefall. Everywhere in the globe, there’s some sort of political upheaval or tragedy. Unless you do not have one empathetic bone in your body, it is very difficult to remain completely unmoved by everything that is happening all around you. Because of technology, we are so much more connected than in times past, and it can sometimes feel we are inundated with information overload.

I know this is not a pleasant subject matter. A lot of people prefer to ignore and tune out this information, unless it is not directly affecting their own lives. What some may not realize; even if we choose to disregard….we are absorbing some of the negativity simply by osmosis. I mean, living in today’s world – with social media and so many other media platforms, even if you are not a regular news watcher, you are bound to absorb some news.

This seemingly incessant deluge of problems that somehow seem unsolvable, can start to affect one’s well-being. It’s like when a friend or relative is sick or troubled in some way, eventually the constant negative outlook, can begin to affect everyone around this person. At first, you may be able to distance yourself from the problem. Sooner or later, a sort of dread settles in, when you can no longer see a positive outcome for the future. Furthermore; you have no control over the situation. When you wake up every morning to gloom and discord, eventually, it can begin to affect your perspective.

I am a news junkie, so what I try to do now….is limit how much I consume. I have always been a traditional news watcher….I watch the nightly news and all 24 hour news media. Now, I try to grab the headlines and then switch to something that can take my mind away from the world’s problems. When watching television, I now alternate between, maybe a light hearted movie, (or even action) or a medical drama. Or simply read a book. Let me put in a plug for two television shows – ‘The Good Doctor’ and ‘New Amsterdam.’ Both excellent medical dramas that show the more compassionate side of human nature. I think you have to take a break from the news cycle, even if you are a watcher of all news, including international news, like myself. Because, let’s face it….we all have our own problems we are dealing with. We cannot let the current state of the globe, allow our outlook on life to become totally pessimistic. We always have to look towards the light and believe in hope.