What channels are in your lineup?

Social media, as we’re discovering, is tailored to fit the views of individual users. Various programming codes (“algorithms”) make it possible to feed right wing voters stories about how dangerous BLM protesters, trans people, and government health orders are while simultaneously showing liberals stories about how dangerous guns, climate change, and COVID are. It doesn’t stop there, of course, which is why seemingly educated “woke” “influencers” have started spreading anti-science conspiracy stories (“influencing” will eventually be viewed in the same light as vaping, but that’s for another post).

Major news outlets (which everyone apparently loves to hate), while using their greater resources to actually fact check, still tend to focus on things which stress our psyches more often than not. I don’t fault them for it- we’re wired to prioritize potential threats, and it’s for a reason. Fear also draws more viewers and sells more ads (and perhaps this year drove more people to the polls).

There are “channels” which don’t focus on anger, fear, separation, hostility and suffering, but rather give us the other things we need- the Tree Channel, the Animal Channel, the Sky Channel, the Breath Channel, the Water Channel, the God Channel (Not-God Channel also available) the Walking Channel and the Smile Channel are but a few of the offerings in my lineup, and they don’t require fees, subscriptions, internet access or broadcast reception of any kind. They are, however, gateway drugs which could lead you to the Joy Channel if you’re not careful…

What channels are in your lineup?

We get to be who we want to be

We get to be who we want to be.

That might sound like a new-agey generalization which doesn’t take into account the very real barriers people face in trying to stay alive and stay healthy, so feel free to take it with whatever grain of salt you deem appropriate (I certainly do, given that in some places people are murdered for being who they want to be).

But it’s no secret that if you spend a lot of time around hate and anger that’s what starts coming through you, and if you focus on love and joy your life will have more of that. Not everyone gets the opportunity to focus on joy, but if you’re reading this there’s a pretty good chance you’re in a demographic which has, for the moment at least, managed enough food, clothing, and shelter that you can think beyond immediate survival.

What do you want life to bring you? Do you want fear, anger, distrust, and constant stress? Do you want fun adventures, and some idea that your time (which you don’t get back- no refunds at that store) is going to things which you enjoy and sustain you in a lasting way?

Maybe you want to be a responsible citizen and try to address injustices (I hope you do)- while that might involve stress, anger, and frustration you don’t have to let those define you. If anger and hatred take over you risk becoming part of the problem you’re trying to solve.

Do you believe in free will? I do.

So I’ll say it again- we get to be who we want to be. Who do you want to be?

I believe in you. You got this.