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hipmama happiness tips.Submitted by PattyCakes on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 10:28pm.
In a recent on line discussion about tv, you all remember the one, I think it was entitled, 'How much is too much?' refrencing television and kids, something one of you wrote pretty much changed my life. If I didn't have a teething nursing baby in my lap weilding a dreadlocked naked brats doll towrds my face, I'd be inclined to go search and give the proper gratitude, but you'll understand. Which ever mom made a point that I will never forget. All television is is commercials. Thirty minute commercials, hour long commercials, advirtising lifestyles and values, ect. I wish I could quote you, yours was better. I used to get kind of annoyed when I would have to hear these hippies out IRL ( and admitedly here too) go on about the evils of being exposed to too much television, but now I am beginning to see how my lack of exposure to it has made me feel less depressed, less burdoned, less bothered, less self coincous, and I completly contribute a general feeling of well being to tuning out instead of in. Had somebody told me this before, out of pure lack of experience, I would have concluded that their analysis would mean the subject was simply weak minded, and if that was the case patheticaly impressionable. Well, if that is the truth I don't care because I am much, much happier without the tv showing me how to think, feel, look, act, and parent. If this is the case, then I am so intrigued on what else could make a diffrence in the way that I percieve myself and my place in it. I never noticed how it was so much in my nature to compare and contrast and compute on a perhaps subcoincous level that always left me feeling guilty and off. Now that I have been "off" tv for a couple of weeks, when I am around it I see more and more messages that are being spit put and how unrealistic and downright dangerous these messages could be. I wonder, how diffrent would I be had I never watched televison? How much happier would I be? How much more knowledgable, educated, centered, how many more things could I have accomplished in my life if I hadn't speant all those damn hours sitting there watching something I might have seen two or three times before? I know that is a huge wordy digression and the topic I approached was not about tv, it was about happiness. So since I have opened it up, would you guys be willing to give me other suggestions from your tried and true real life experiences that you think are crucial to being centered or less stressed? I have three: 1.Drinking kombucha and raw juice makes me feel better, happier. Puts a spring in my step! I just want to know, what makes you feel better- anything, everything lay it on me. Little, big, what has made an impact on your life and what do you try and stick to OR stear clear of? http://www.hipmama.com/node/37677
HM has changed my life in so many ways and provoked me to see things differently. isn't it great? The ones I am striving for: 1. Deep, deep, deep breaths daily, all the way to my toes, to chase out the stale dark energy and replace it with light and calm. 2. I am doing the best I can. Reminding myself of that--and making sure that it is true--helps me be gentle on myself. 3. Cultivating a life and world in which I can comfortably give AND receive help. It's hard for me to be vulnerable but I am a more grounded person when I allow myself to be authentic. 4. Exercise as close to every day as possible, even if it's only for 20 minutes. 5. Create. When I can express myself through knitting, playing piano, working with pictures/artwork, cooking, a little something each week, I feel more whole. It's easy to get swallowed in being "productive"; when I make room in my life for creative pursuits I am better able to just BE. thanks I love this post. Well, I've yet to kick the t.v. habit, not sure if I ever will. Total props to all of you who have, I'm a total t.v. whore, even if I'm not watching I like to have it on for the backgroud noise. I think it helps me feel more connected to the world, like I'm not alone in my own house. Wow, okay, I digress, totally got sidetracked there. 1. Completely agree with the clean house. Took me awhile to get there, to realize how much better I felt when things where tidy and not scattered all over the house. Really like the feeling of walking into the house after work and not having a disaster zone. I need to work on the more sex thing, so important yet so easily skipped. BleuRoo Handcrafted Sweetness Here's my 3: yes! I'm so excited that you made this revelation for yourself. I disdain TV. My issue is The Simpsons. I love me some Simpsons. now i'm at the point where I watch it a few times a week and mute the commercials. Really, though, I'm very excited about the switch to Digital broadcasting in 2009 (is this nationwide or just an Iowa thing? I'm not sure). Anyway, all of the TV is going to switch to digital and our TV will no longer receive broadcasts without a digital converter box. there's this commercial (on during the simpsons) that is trying to convince you to buy a converter box or else you won't be able to use your TV. the commercial shows TV's being used as planters and fish tanks, like "gosh you don't want this to happen to your TV.." well, actually I do, thanks. We still, however, plan to use our TV for movies otherwise i'd be all over that planter idea. what makes me feel better is "revolution is not a one time event" Audre Lorde 1. Exercise. I try to take a walk outside every day. "Too weird to live. Too rare to die." - Hunter S. Thompson Right on. We kicked the t.v. habit a little while back and it has improved our household tons. Especially with interactions and stuff. I realized the other day how detached I am from that world now and it's lovely. I'm gonna have to try that kamboucha stuff once. "Religion is for people who are afraid of hell. Spirituality is for 1. Reading to my kids every morning before I go to work, even if it means waking up at 5:30 so our morning is less hectic and allows for it. I really like this post, Patty. I don't have much time, but quickly, 3 things that make me feel happier/most balanced are: 1. Getting plenty of exercise |
i'm doing the pickle dance right now!
on a serious note, i think you've made some excellent points about tv. we watch, but try to dissect at the same time. everything in moderation.
my hat is off to you for shutting the mother down completely, i think it's cool.
i've known other people who have done this, and they were able to heal, move forward and work on other things during their "off time". i support this 100%.
what works for me:
1. you're on about the kombucha, i drink this at least 2 a week now.
2. exercise. without regular work outs i would be dusted.
3. manifestation. i'm dreaming up big stuff, everyday. once i found this key, i gotta just keep opening up the doors. this changed my entire life.
4. making friends with money, handling business properly, flowing with the universe.
5. mantra's are everywhere now, i stuck this one on my tv: i flow with the current, i know that eveything that happens is for my higher good.
i have one on the computer desk, it says: i have unlimited abundance.
i have the same thing in my bathroom, plus: miracles are love in action.
this has also made a huge difference not only in my attitude, but i'm not worrying or stressing all the time anymore. i can't, i won't let my mind focus on that shit anymore. when i feel a negative thought coming on, i correct/switch it immediately.
6. working on soul love, sending myself solar light, and healing.
7. planning even bigger stuff, by the minute. i'll direct a feature film in a year. i've already made up my mind about that part.
keeping searching patty, i think you're awesome!
love and thanks,
dc
a fire breathing/green scaled mistress production!