I watch the news more than I ever have in my life now, why? Before I learned how to manage my emotions, watching the news sent me into a tailspin of uncertainty, worry, and sadness for days and I didn’t know how to get out of it.
Now I can! Because I have learned how to manage my feelings by watching my thoughts. I’ve been practicing this ‘management’ for a while and I can watch the news without becoming ruffled most of the time.
The key is to remember, anything that is ‘said’ on the news is just ‘what they said (opinion or fact).’
It’s what I think about what they said that really matters.
If I agree, I feel justified, right, and content. If I disagree, I feel concerned, worried, and skeptical. None of these emotions are bad, actually, they are my guidance system. They help me choose what I believe or don’t believe.
A larger topic on the news right now is the coronavirus. The news uses words like: crisis, pandemic, quarantine, and deadly. Other news media use words like: just like the flu, we have it under control, we have the best medical system in the world, etc.
It doesn’t really matter what words they use. It’s what you think about what they said that really matters.
Here are some examples:
- If I think, “I’m healthy, this won’t happen to me,” I am unscathed and go about my merry way.
- If I think, “Am I ready? Do I have the things I need if this came to me?” I feel curious and discover if I am ready.
- If I think, “Oh know- this is terrible,” I’m scared and I avoid others for fear I might get the virus.
What are your thoughts and how do they make you feel and act?
Everyone has a different thought about what they hear on the news. Our thoughts create a feeling and that feeling causes us to do something. (thought à feeling à action)
Let’s go back to the thought, “Am I ready? Do I have the things I need if this came to me?” I am curious and discover if I am ready. Upon discovering what I have and don’t have I have more thoughts, like, “I don’t know that anyone can be totally ready for such a thing, but I think I am prepared the best way I know how.” That thought promotes a feeling of peace and reassurance. In a place of peace we choose to act, maybe by helping others prepare. This is a powerful place to be.
Let’s try another situation to the thought, “Am I ready? Do I have the things I need if this came to me?” After discovering my preparedness I find I am not prepared in any way. So I think, “I am not prepared at all,” to which I feel worried, rushed or even panicked and begin mass hoarding.
There are many possible thought/feeling/action models between these two extremes. I would suspect most of us are somewhere between the two; being somewhat prepared, but wanting to become more prepared.
Where are you? And what are the thoughts driving your actions?
Words of wisdom from me: I like to watch this (and most news) with curiosity. Meaning I feel curious, and the thought that creates this emotion for me is, “I wonder what information this news gives me?” From there I can discover if I agree/disagree, if I am prepared/unprepared, etc. I pay attention to how I feel and discover what I’m thinking; then I decide if that serves me or not.
Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and believing as I do… I also choose thoughts that bring me peace in times of political and economic chaos. Thoughts like, “I know my Savior loves me and is aware of me, I am in good hands.”
I also choose good thoughts about myself, like, “I am not perfect but I am trying each day, at that is plenty for the Savior’s Atonement to bless my life just as it is.” Or, “I have done my best to prepare for this situation; the Savior will make up the rest with His Atoning sacrifice as I ask for it.” Then I practice believing that thought until I feel peace.
Really, the news is fascinating. Some people blame others for causing a panic, while others are just trying to give us timely information so we can be informed. At the end of the day, however…
The news can’t cause you to feel anything or do anything!
It’s what you think about the way the news was presented that matters most to you. So think about it. Discover what you are feeling and ask yourself, “what am I thinking that is causing me to feel this way?” Look at your actions and decide if they are serving you and others around you.
Happy preparing!
PS If you continue feeling panicked and worried sign up for a free 15 minute mini session HERE and I’ll help you out!