ASSIGNMENT 2 - Suggestions
For some people, fear-inducing entertainment has become such an ingrained habit that, when faced with the idea of watching or reading or listening to something else, they are at once lost. Likewise, these people often don't recognize some of the things that they have been watching are affecting them adversely.

Think of your mind as a garden. Picture the television shows, movies, music, books, games, etc. as seeds. Whatever you plant in your garden will grow. With crime scene investigation shows, 24 hour news, and horror movies (and novels) being as popular as they are right now, it's no wonder that depression is at an all-time high in the United States. At first glance, you might think that such thing would have little or no impact on your thought processes or state of mind. I ask you to try turning it off for a few months and see for yourself.

Things to avoid

  • Movies, TV shows, books, games, magazines, music in which any of the following is the main focus:
    • Violence
    • Fear
    • Hatred
    • Meanness
    • Politics
    • Death
    • Suffering
  • National News
  • Local News (unless there is an impending disaster in your area such as a hurricane)
  • Talk shows that promote screaming, hate-filled interactions between guests (Jerry Springer, etc.)
  • Political debate shows
  • Music that makes you feel angry or sad when you listen to it
This list could obviously go on and on, but it's really only there to give you an idea of what I mean. Once you cut those things out for a couple of months, you will come to recognize the difference between entertainment that does and does not populate your mind with joy.


Here are some ideas for alternative sources of entertainment. Try to keep an open mind and don't make snap judgments about whether you will like something or not until you've given it a good solid try.

Movies and Television
  • Comedies (these are the best "seeds" you can plant at this point)
  • Uplifting dramas (tear-jerkers are fine as long as the main focus of the movie is not sorrow)
  • Adventures (as long as they are not primarily violent or fear-based)
  • Classics
  • Romances

Television
  • Reality shows that feature people getting back on track or helping each other
  • Talk shows that promote laughter, growth or self-development (Dr. Phil, Ellen, Oprah, etc.)
  • Sitcoms
  • How-to shows

Books
  • Self-help
  • Science fiction
  • Romance
  • Mystery (without focus on murder and death)
  • Spiritual
  • Comedies
  • Hobby guides

Games
  • Board games
  • Card games
  • Non-violent video games

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