Giving Up Cable Television By Alyice Edrich

My children cried when they realized they could no longer watch their favorite television shows, but soon learned that wholesome videos can cure their withdrawals in a moment’s notice. But more importantly, they’ve gotten off their butts and started enjoying more physical and bonding activities. And best part is that I no longer hear, “Just a minute mom. I’ll be there on commercial. Huh, what did you say? Oh, I forgot because I got hooked on this show. And, do I have to? I was right in middle of good part!”

It all began on February 9, 2004 when my friend and I attended an all-day Women’s Bible Study. At one of workshops, speaker discussed ways we could simplify our lives and in return grow stronger bonds with our children and other loved ones. One of her suggestions was to nix television. She read a study that stated television consumption wastes approximately 4 hours of our day and 13 years of our lives. She went on to ask, “If you knew you could gain just 6 of those years back by cutting your television watching down to just 2 hours a day, what would you do with all that time?”

Have you ever had experience of meeting someone, and after a few minutes of conversation, settled into feeling of having known that person all you life? This sort of incident - an immediately strong emotional connection - is quite rare. It's happened to me on two occasions, and in both cases, resulted in long-term friendships.

Why is there an instant connection with some people and not others? It seems that it is easier to relate to people who are open to wanting to get to know another. There is a certain chemistry that simply happens when individuals are tuned into each other. Both experience it simultaneously.