“I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on, I go into another room and read a good book.” ~ Groucho Marx
It’s a radical concept. Some call it weird. But you can do it - unplug the TV. Never mind the brief withdrawal. Think of all the writing you’ll get done! It’s the one way I know to carve a kazillion extra hours out of my week. I’m not saying that watching TV is wrong, but it’s a time killer. And sometimes our time is better spent elsewhere.
“Our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time; it is basically a problem of priorities. We confess, ‘We have left undone those things that we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.’”
March 19, 2007 - 12:01 pm
on March 19, 2007 - 1:23 pm
I switched my cable to basic from extended; still it is hard to turn it off!
Another argument for switching it off is the quality and morality is eroding.
I love your blog, it is so inspirational.
on March 19, 2007 - 2:05 pm
This is great! We decided a few years ago to give up TV completely. We did for an entire year, both my husband and I just enjoying reading quietly together during the evenings…something we always wanted.
We now have basic cable again, but we usually go for a week or more and maybe only turn it on for one show together in the evening, if that. Reading has solidly replaced the TV in our home and we couldn’t be happier about that!
Katie
on March 19, 2007 - 4:45 pm
Oh Vicki! Now–these are fighting words! Turn off the TV?????
I so agree with the concept….just really hard to sit in the silence. I hope this isn’t a challenge I will soon have to take on!
All kidding aside…I can see your point. We have a TV in every room (well–not the bathrooms) and enjoy watching our favorite evening shows together…as a family. Our lives are so scheduled with school, sports, business, etc. that we actually enjoy watching a comedy (our favorite…the now defunct, Reba) over a large bowl of popcorn.
But I do understand the danger of sitting in front of a screen and becoming sidelined by the drama of Hollywood instead being in the game of life.
Great post.
Diane
on March 19, 2007 - 8:29 pm
I only watch my favorite shows (Smallville, Heroes and Friday Night Lights), and a couple others but other than those and some PBS documentaries that’s all the TV I watch. It’s best that way.
There was a time when I didn’t have a TV and I did read a whole lot more.
on March 20, 2007 - 5:32 pm
I totally agree the television is such a time waster. I was thinking the other night how ridiculous it is that I get all teary-eyed over “Deal or No Deal” when people are dying and going to hell. I need to pray more, witness more and give up the worldly things that do not set me apart as God has called me to be.