The key is to remember that you aren’t trying to fight with yourself. You are trying to redirect negative energy into a positive direction.

If you take some quiet time to search inside yourself for creative ideas I bet you will come up with some fun and inventive ways that fit your own situation perfectly. If you get stuck for ideas, do a little brainstorming with a good friend.

Tip: You don’t have to tell your friend that you are driving yourself nuts with worry/fear. That could create a negative image in their mind. Just tell them truthfully that you are looking for some fun ways to redirect your energies when you feel need. They may end up trying ideas themselves!

When you notice that you are starting to worry or be fearful (you want to catch yourself as quickly as possible before you build up a head of steam) then go directly to one of your redirection ideas. If first one doesn’t work, move right on to next idea.

Here are some sample ideas:

* Make silly faces in mirror. * Exercise intensely. Activities that take mental, as well as, physical effort are particularly good. * Do a good deed for someone. Intense attention to others often takes us out of self-involved circles of thought. Read comics or a good book of humor. * Listen to joyful music. * Watch a light, happy movie. * Learn to meditate. Meditation is most direct way to internally redirect our energies. * Affirm: I am joyful and energetic! Repeat this out loud ten to twenty times while walking in place and swinging your arms. When you immerse yourself in almost any positive direction with energy and concentration you will find that negative energies lose their power and eventually fall away through neglect. This is a powerful truth that works in every facet of life.

Experiment with these ideas and let us know how things go.

Bless You,

Vijay

FOX – Filter Out X#$&%. What children watch is often worthless, at best. At its worst, television undermines everything we teach as it spews foul language, violence, casual attitudes about sex, and disrespect for authority. Our family uses TV Guardian to help with language. The other negative elements are impossible to remove, which is why television has an ‘off’ button.

NBC – Note Basic Content. Teach your kids to evaluate a program by its main premise. “Aladdin” is one of my favorite movies, but it quite frankly glorifies being a thief. Gentle “E. T.” leaves impression that adults aren’t to be trusted, and that dishonesty is justified when its purposes are noble. After watching a show, ask, “What did that movie just say? Was it a positive message or a negative one? How did it try to influence you?”

CNN – Cultivate Natural iNquisitiveness. Try to broaden your world so that your children are interested in more than cartoons and sit-coms. Make friends with those from other cultures. Discuss world events. Travel and visit museums to pique interest in topics explored on The Discovery and History Channels.

BET – Be Exemplary Teachers. A student doesn’t rise above teacher. Set a good example to your children by developing good viewing habits. Participate in National TV Turnoff Week April 21 – 27, and evaluate how addicted to television you are.

Go ahead. Touch that dial. Adjust your family’s antenna away from television. The signal will be fuzzy at first, but over time, I think your reception will become a lot clearer. And may archaeologists of future find your home so devoid of influence of television that they identify you as a pagan.