A dirty little secret of many graduate students is the amount of time spent watching TV. Between actual TV's, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Cucirca, and network-based apps, it's pretty easy to get Lost in the sea of entertainment. It's a break from reality for some, a mental reprieve for others, and a distraction for many. I don't think TV is a bad thing at all, and I am certainly not on a soap box calling out TV-watchers. So much quality writing, creative storytelling, and interesting character development is happening nowadays. And for some of us who teach different age groups, using pop culture and modern media is advantageous because it helps people make connections and deepen understanding. (I can find a social justice issue in almost everything if I think about it, which I do think my students appreciate).
During my last three years, I revisited old favorites like Dawson's Creek (don't judge), My So-Called Life, and met new characters like Dexter. I laughed at the likes of Ron Swanson dancing and followed Mary Louise Parker on her Weeds journey. It was my way of vegging out and getting out of my head and the thinking, writing, reading, and analyzing that occurred daily for so much of the time. And I would not change that at all.
In my new job, I also have to do a lot of thinking, writing, reading, and analyzing. But I am also trying to lead a more balanced life. I have found that the doldrums of winter in my fair and cloudy city make it easy to want to plop down and just veg after work and the daily Harlan walk. My brain is often swirling with to-do lists and ideas and exciting projects and lecture ideas and so on.
So, last night after, literally, wasting two hours watching a reality show that is generally an embarrassment to women, I unplugged my TV (you can read about my feelings on this nice refurbished TV in another post) and put it in the basement. I found myself feeling much freer, more creative (hence, a new blog post not too long after the previous one) and getting excited about working on some mini projects.
Don't get me wrong. I will watch my shows and movies (I do have those iPad apps), but the move to the basement reminded me that sometimes you have to actively get yourself out of those winter blahs and keep on moving forward. So, I will save my TV viewing mostly for the gym for now.
Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us each to be mindful of moments, to open our eyes, to listen around us, and engage in the miracle of life. Word.
"People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk no earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle."
And now for which book to escape to (oh boy, I am NOT moving the books to the basement) or project to begin....
Peace,
Michelle
No comments:
Post a Comment