All the news that's fit to print...

Some paths don't diverge in the woods; they converge with a trememdous clash on a 10-lane super-highway.

I'm on a spiritual quest - the over-all, overriding path/model for all that I do.

So, what do I do with the 'news'? ...with all those 'forwarded' emails? ...with gossip at karaoke?

I subscribe to quite a few blogs; I google things very often every day; I open emails from a fairly large contact list; I watch TV and a small bit of TV 'news' - and now I'm concerned about boundaries I feel that I want to set v. information so many people think I need to have.

I think that thoughts have energy - specific energy. I believe that we attract all that we need to evolve as humans on this planet. I believe that what we give our energy to grows. I believe that to the exact extent that I see the people, places, and events in my life as my teachers - to that very extent will my spirit rise.
I think that applies to jokes about Bush, virtually all of this season's political ads, TV news, and dealings with my partner, Joel, and our friends. I think that if I listen to gossip, I am exactly as responsible for its spread as the person who told me. I believe if I spend my energy on Bush & the TV news, I am co-creating the war in Iraq and participating in ordering the deaths of the (countless) victims, and that I add to the hate in the world rather than to the love in the world.

I believe that to combat hatred and war, I must focus my energy on peace and love.
I believe that to have a positive impact on the amounts of teeage drug usage, I must learn to really see teenagers and listen to them.
I believe that when I hear an ambulance, I must 'touch' it very lightly with calming, grateful thoughts for the expertise they are bringing to a situation  - and not to leap to the conclusion that disater is imminent.

I'll be looking for the tipping point for the next few days/weeks/minutes...to find that place of balance - if there is one.

For one thing, I think that I will have to make a decision to get rid on my TV habit, altogether...yes, there are some good things on that box - and I'm sure I can find a way to support them without spending money (financial energy) on all that worse-than-useless garbage that is on the damn TV for the SOLE purpose of selling me something!

So what about my responsibility to inform myself? For example, how do I cast a ballot if I refuse to vote for mud-slinging candidates?
There is a congressional race here in New Mexico that is (to me) downright embarrasing and very infuriating: the two women are much more interested in loud ads slamming each other's ethics than in speaking to the issues, at all. One is Republican; one is a Democrat. If I want anything to have a chance of being different, don't I need to choose one?

I'll welcome your input on this topic.
I'm confident that what I need to do next will be made clear; maybe even by one of you. :) cool...