The news coming from all parts of the globe is pretty depressing isn't it? Maybe this isn't a new debate, but the old argument that 'bad news sells newspapers" has translated today to include all forms of media and much of the information we are being fed daily is deeply distressing.
No wonder people get depressed - Looking at this week's news:
"Co-pilot crashed his plane into a mountain in the Alps killing 140 people including 2 babies"
"ISIS takes stranglehold on Nigeria as Boko Haram pledges allegiance"
"Boy of 12 smuggled into the UK by gang to sell his body parts"
"Putin sending bombers"
"Indian rapist lynched by mob"
"ISIS killing people in Syria with dreadful photos"
"Criminal gangs have more than 13,000 slaves in the UK"
"Orang-utan's facing extinction in Sumatra"
" 5 people killed by extremists in restaurant in Mali"
So depressing and nightmarish!!! Of course, these terrible tragedies need to be reported but where are the happy stories?
It doesn't matter what country you live in - news is global now and we receive it morning, noon and night - often within minutes of incidents happening.
Being bombarded by this constant flow of depressing and often very frightening news - how are we all supposed to deal with it? It seems to many of us that the human race is falling into a very dark age of violence and appalling ignorance, where people's minds are totally out of control - often believing in the most vicious doctrine. However, there are millions of wonderful things happening in our world day in and day out - but we never see it or learn about from the media.
As the Dalai Lama once said: "Imagine looking down at our world from outer space and seeing a candle light for every loving and kind thought. We would see billions of candle lights - mother and fathers loving thoughts for their new baby and children - kindness of people helping one another and so forth".
There are marvellous and inspiring things happening in our lives every minute of the day and I believe that we have to start to appreciate the wonder of our lives and to begin a revolution in the way news is presented. Yes, of course,we have to be informed of what is happening today - we cannot afford to live in a "bubble of ignorance" with our heads in the sand as to what is happening - but, we also have to teach those that are following such a terrible, violent and ignorant path that there is wonder in life and it is to be cherished not destroyed due to some warped and very sick ideology.
ISIS and other similar organisations use violence to terrify people and to get their sick message to the world and they largely succeed because the media blast it across the airwaves for all to see. We have to find a balance to stop this - the world's media surely has a responsibility to also tell the world of its wonders and about happy and beautiful events that happen daily - why does violence seem to win all the time with regards to media coverage?
It is depressing but we must keep ourselves centred and focussed on the things that really matter in our everyday lives - if we can get the message across that COMPASSION, CARING, LOVING, HEALING, KINDNESS and HAPPINESS are the treasures of our life.
Maybe then the young men and women that flock to join these terrorist organisations like ISIS because they are either bored, or influenced by friends and others, or more likely persuaded by Iman's peddling a warped Islamic ideology that convinces them that this violent path will bring them some kind of salvation and happiness when they die in the afterlife, or looking for a place in the world, feeling rejected by their own society, unemployment and so forth can follow a very different path
There are many reasons why people want to belong to something - but they have to be taught that VIOLENCE, HATRED, KILLING, TORTURE, IGNORANCE - MY IDEOLOGY IS RIGHT AND ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG, ANGER - can only bring horror and dreadful suffering not only to the people they are subjecting this to - BUT TO THEMSELVES AS WELL.
"We reap what we sow" - "Cause and effect" - "We are what we think" - "Karmic results of our actions" - what these people do not understand is that if we hurt someone or kill any living person or creature we will suffer for it in our lives and when we die. The way that organisations such as ISIS, Al-Quaeda, Boko Haram and many others twist, change and abuse the teachings of the Koran and feed young people a litany of hate is one of the saddest and deeply worrying situations we are facing today.
It seems that IGNORANCE is winning and we must stop it NOW
There is so much to be HAPPY ABOUT in this extraordinary and amazing world we live in. The wonder of childbirth - the wonder of flowers, trees, countryside and nature's garden of life - that so many of us are blessed with - the wonder of a new life in any form - the love of a mother and father for their child - the glory of a beautiful Butterfly - the joy of simply breathing and being there in the moment - a lovely sunny day - a walk in the park - so many gifts of life that we just accept without thinking of them at all. Yes, there are many people in this world that live in terrible poverty and circumstances that are appalling - we must do everything we can to help them - However, it all has to begin with YOU and the way you think and what you do.
If a child is brought up to meditate and value the wonder that is life and what is around us and with the knowledge that Compassion, Love and Kindness bring Happiness to them and everyone they meet - our world would be very different.
I am digressing from the original subject - but it is all part of the same story - the media today must change the way news is presented - if these violent acts do not get the global news attention maybe these organisations will be forced to change their actions - they know that the world's press will report these horror stories in the headlines and therefore, they get more and more outrageous. If they don't get the headlines they crave for, maybe a seismic change can be achieved - surely it is worth trying?
If the media starts to tell loving and heart warming stories as well as the nightmares maybe this will inspire young people to re-think their lives and what they can achieve - instead of feeding them a litany of violence on the air waves.
Please remember - every one of our actions has its cause and effect - if you are violent - violence and suffering will come to you - if you are kind and loving - happiness will be your reward - None of us can escape the results of our actions.
Don't become overwhelmed by the news each day - maybe limit the amount of time you spend watching TV or glued to your computer or mobile phone - how many times do you see people, especially youngsters avidly glued to their phones - totally ignoring their environment and everything around them - happiness can come from appreciating a beautiful flower or a kind action - I am not convinced much happiness will come from a mobile phone apart from a momentary glimpse of amusement!!
Surely, life is about a balance and if you are getting more and more depressed by the world's news that is bombarding you daily - then cut the supply somewhat and begin to cherish everything around you - of course, this won't immediately change the world and we all need to be aware of what is happening so that we can protect and defend our precious liberty and happiness - but we don't have to subject ourselves hourly to the maelstrom of misery that pounds across the airwaves.
The more we concentrate on our human mantra that love, compassion and kindness bring immense happiness to ourselves, our families and everyone you come into contact with - then life can change for the good. If we follow the path of hatred, violence, killing and ignorance then only incredible suffering will come to you - who wants this? Nobody wants this do they?
Thank you for reading
Peter
No comments:
Post a Comment