Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Really Embracing Life...



“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, in a pretty and well preserved body….but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up…totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, WOW…What a Ride!”

I can't remember where I first read the above quote, but it has always stuck with me. It is basically how I've tried to live my life. I'm always up to trying anything new at least once. I'll go just about everywhere anyone wants to go. I just always need to be doing something to maintain inner peace.

When I started thinking about organizing my time to better utilize that time, I realized that there are some real *time sucks* in my life. You know what I mean. Things you do that essentially just suck the time out of your life, on a daily basis. I suppose that watching TV is the biggest *time suck* of all.

Others include grocery shopping, clothes shopping, waiting in lines and waiting at the doctor's office. I guess I should also include waiting in line to drop off prescriptions and then waiting in line to pick up prescriptions. I wait in lines at the bank and I wait in lines at the grocery store. I wait in lines at the post office and I wait in lines at traffic lights. I waste a fair amount of time waiting in lines, so I have the right to complain.

Conceivably, these are things I cannot do anything about. So, I'm seeing that the only real place I can do any good, is to cut back on my TV consumption. I can't stand most TV commercials anyway, so this shouldn't be too taxing. I used to just love all the CSI shows, but they are all becoming a big blur as the stories all seem to have already been covered by one CSI show or another. Did you know that Americans spend something like 32 hours per week watching television? No wonder this country is so full of overweight, obese and unhappy people. Considering the amount of TV consumed in our country, I'm willing to guess people eat more because they can't measure up to the lives they see others living on the television, which we all know is bunk anyway.

So, in my grand effort to better utilize my time, I'm guessing that TV is going to take a far back burner in my life. Like I've always said, I'd much rather be out doing something than watching someone else do it on TV…

17 comments:

Asthmagirl said...

Yup...
I do have a couple shows I watch (Deadliest Catch, Dinner Impossible) but mostly I feel like I'm too busy to watch tv.

I figure when I'm too old to ride my bike and hike and fish and garden I'll have plenty of time to watch tv.

Daryl said...

I have a few addictions that I will never give up watching but I also refuse to add any 'new' shows to my must see TV unless one of the others is cancelled or 'jumps the shark' (I gave up Kings for that very reason and it had only aired 3 times .. I was right, it was cancelled)

I would rather read a book or a blog or be out taking pix ..

Sjn said...

I usually don't even turn it on. This week I'll put on the golf channel though to see the US Open. I'm rooting for Phil, really Amy and Phil, before all the reality sets in. I'm hoping and praying all goes well for them.

Mental P Mama said...

I LOVE that top Goddess statue! And I know I could do with a lot less TV and a little more human action.

I Am Woody said...

You are a woman after my own heart!!

A few years ago, I had an epiphany and realized just how fast time was slipping away. I decided no more sidelines for me. I love trying new things, going absolutely anywhere. I want to LIVE!!!

Unknown said...

I have recently given up soda and after reading this, I may see what I can cut back on as far as stupid shows that suck the life out of me!!!

Leave a Legacy said...

I am definitely a TV addict. I guess I justify it because I'm always doing something else while it's on, i.e.: knitting, quilting, blogging, laundry, ironing, cleaning, etc, etc. I guess I just like the noise because I'm usually not watching. You've inspired me to try to do without even the noise on. I should, you're absolutely right. I just don't know if I can, the addiction has that much of a hold.

Snooty Primadona said...

Okay, here's a little confession... I've always slept with the TV on and my sleep patterns have never been good by any means. One night last week I fell asleep without the TV on & slept through the ENTIRE night. From now on, I sleep with no TV & no lights. I'm sure I'll be a whole new woman... During the day, I've never turned on the TV. Well, not for the last 25 years anyway. I never turn it on until the hubby comes home @ 5, so I can watch the local news. Of course, I turn the TV on for Special News Reports. Otherwise, I listen to music sometimes but most of the time I prefer silence. The sounds of silence. Sounds like a good name for a song.

imbeingheldhostage said...

I'd like to cut and paste this entire post for my blog (it would be a time saver) because it was excellent. Loved the quote (very inspiring) and the "embrace life" photo. I've made a choice to cut computer time-- that's what sucks my "spare" time from me.

Allison said...

About 5 years ago I decided it was ridiculous to pay $65 a month for the privilege of sitting using my remote to surf up and down only to rarely find anything worthwhile to watch. So I cancelled. Didn't turn the TV on for 3 weeks at all. Didn't miss it, read lots of interesting books, and found my own head and spending time doing stuff I wanted to do much more rewarding.

Now I confess to a slight addiction to Housewives of NY, don't like any of the rest of those wives, but these are too screwed up not enjoy slamming them when I have a minute to sit down. :)

Anonymous said...

Snooty, I, too, like to fall asleep to the TV. I dont know why...but I toss and turn if I dont.
How will you break yourself of the habit?

Flea said...

My time sucker is the internet. Ugh.

Hey - you up to breakfast a week from this coming Tuesday?

Staci said...

It seems that my TV is always on - even if I'm not watching it. I think I watch it much more in the winter than summer, though - there's too much to do outside this time of year, and that's probably why there's not a dadgum thing on that's worth watching. But I know you're right - we'd all be better off just to do without it altogether!

That Janie Girl said...

I can't even believe you have a time suck, you're so on the go all the time!

I'm NOT moving to PA so you're stuck with me, blondie!!

imom said...

I gave up all but a couple of shows years ago... Best thing I ever did!

Heather Kerrigan said...

I've massively cut back on my TV consumption since I vetoed the news after 9/11. I agree with Staci, I watch more boob tube in the winter. I read more in the summer.

Right now I do little of either, I crash when my head hits the pillow. The problem is once I'm awake, I can't get back to sleep.

In D.C. we had this delightful service called Peapod and I had ALL my groceries delivered right to my door. I LOVED IT!! You could still use coupons and I actually saved money because I planned my meals from my computer and only ordered what I needed. I was far more organized. Big surprise...I wasn't blogging then!

L said...

I love that quote it's such a good one.

 

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