I was laying in bed nursing Orion down for his nap today while I watched Anthony Bourdain, "No Reservations" My heart began to pound excitedly as he shared about his travels through Egypt. The food, the people, the culture... Having this amazing visual window into the world is a tool unlike any other available in our human existence.
As I watched, while snuggling my son, I became inspired to share the *Truth* about TV.
I clicked through the channels and I was introduced to Italian cooking, survival skills in the wild, and infectious Salsa music. I became inspired by stories of hope and brought to tears by the beauty of the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and the Florida Everglades. I watched beautiful dance, gymnastics and mountain climbing. I saw true human passion and triumph. I saw Excitement, Joy and Love. I was inspired to travel, to do, to see and experience.
This window into possibility and potential is an such an amazing tool in our lives and one that I can't imagine living without.
There is a lot of anger surrounding television in the naturally minded community. Articles about "killing your TV" are everywhere and they are so steeped in a fear and misinformation. This same type of witch-hunting, angry mindset was present before the invention of TV with radio and before that comic books. TV has only been popular in homes since the 1950's! It is such a new invention historically and the way that many people react to it is common when something "new" comes on the scene.
When used as a tool for expansion, joy, pleasure and growth, television is as valid and enriching as any book out there! Even more so! I owe so much in my life through being introduced to it through TV.
After my last post, someone commented inquiring about freedom and children and television viewing. When television isn't restricted and parents and children live in a partnership paradigm, rather than the cultural authoritarian paradigm, kids aren't afraid to ask parents questions about topics introduced to them through television. There has never been a time where any of my children were interested in watching something that I "disapproved" of. Most adult programs do not interest them at all, so it is a non-issue. When kids are trusted and supported, the common arguments about TV like, commercialism, addiction and damaging visuals aren't part of the equation. It's like saying, "If a child has a library card, won't they take out too many books and damage their back, or take out something with content that could hurt them?" (Now...doesn't this sound absurd?)
Living a life of Freedom and Respect with my children, I can be a free-thinker. I can see the benefits of things that most people fear. I can bask in the knowing that my children are the proof and no "expert" can fear me into following their beliefs.
Open your eyes people! Stop fearing a tool that could bring so much into your lives! When you let go of the fears of others and see TV for what it really is, a learning tool and window into our amazing world, the shroud is lifted and the life of your family expands in endless directions!
