Tag Archives: #media

Spirituality

Reasons For Optimism

If I spent much of my time listening to the news or reading print media, I might be disheartened about the future. But the truth is, I don’t watch the news or read print media or any newspapers. My best time is spent observing.

The younger generations are a true treasure to watch. They spend more time experiencing life than my generation did. They aren’t missing out on getting ahead or building net worth. They will be just fine.

For as long as I have lived I have observed some older people blaming the young for everything wrong in the world. The young see the world differently, and I love their creativity. Those who are looking for someone to blame should look no further than themselves. We all bear responsibility for the shape of our world, good and bad.

And by the way, I get my world news from Al Jazeera. They report objectively and accurately. There’s one caveat to this. I pay no attention to their reporting on Israel. The Arabs hate the Jews so they have a bias, a very obvious bias.

Take time to engage young people. Listen and learn from them. They do see the world through a different lens. And it’s a beautiful sight to behold…

Standard
Spirituality

New News Sources. Please!

Objective journalism died with Walter Cronkite. No one has been able to take his place. But even in the days just after Cronkite, the news media was more respectful than they are today. For an example, watch the final interview with Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office, conducted by Tom Brokaw.

The news is even harder to tolerate because they aren’t always truthful. They report what they want us to hear which isn’t always the truth. Honesty in journalism is an oxymoron. But there is hope.

As hard as news media tries to sway people, they forgot one thing. People are smarter than the media gives them credit. People are more discerning. The media thinks we aren’t very bright. They are sorely mistaken.

The only source we can believe in wholeheartedly is the Bible. Scripture is inspired by God. It holds true today and it will be true in a thousand years.

Trust God. Question everything else…

Standard
Spirituality

Inaccuracies

Is it just me or, or have you noticed more and more inaccurate information on the internet? People make stuff up and broadcast it to the masses. And there are some who never question anything.

I’m skeptical by nature. This comes from having a scientific brain. Asking if something is true or not shouldn’t have to happen as often as it does nowadays.

Politicians certainly do it. We have a guy here in Texas running for the Senate who has said some ridiculous things. At first, I didn’t believe the memes. Then the actual videos appeared of the candidate referring to women as “our neighbors with a uterus.” Huh? Who talks like this??? There’s more, but I’ll let you do your own research, as you should.

Misspelled words in print and online media have become way too common. It happens so frequently that it makes me question the quality of education our journalists are receiving.

Enough of my ranting for today. My encouragement to you is to question the things that seem too good to be true. Mistakes happen, but we don’t have to allow them to sway our thinking…

Standard
Spirituality

The Consequences of Infighting

Right now there is a battle going on between popular conservative voices in the media space. Instead of keeping it behind the scenes, they do what media people do: they are fighting in public.

Those of us who aren’t in media or politics are fighting, too. Facebook and X are filled with insults being thrown at each other. Lifelong friends have become enemies. Nothing gets resolved and it is exhausting.

The Pharisees were in a quandary about this radical rabbi, Jesus. Some believed he was the Messiah who had been foretold while others didn’t. Of course they didn’t have the internet, only word of mouth. In the end, they put him to death on a cross, and they didn’t realize this fulfilled prophecy, too.

As it was written, Jesus arose on the third day. He hung around for 40 days and appeared to many. Yet some still refused to believe.

When you have a dispute with a friend, it’s best to keep it private. Work things out as best you can. Don’t sacrifice a friendship. It’s okay to see the world through a different lens…

Standard
Uncategorized

Misleading Headlines

The media has gone into overdrive. In better days, sensational headlines were reserved for The National Enquirer. Not anymore.

Recently, I read a story headline that indicated Greenland, Denmark and the United States were heading into contentious talks about the future of Greenland. It was their first meeting! Normal people don’t enter the room looking for a fight. The meeting went fine. No blood was spilled.

In the United States, trust in the media has been steadily declining for years. Their trust level is hovering around the politicians, but not far above bail bondsmen. Legitimate reporting died when Walter Cronkite retired.

Donald Trump was a shot in the arm for the media and the entertainers. They couldn’t wait to report whatever outrageous thing he said. Accuracy in reporting went out the window because clicks were more important. Never mind everything else going on in the world. If Tiananmen Square had happened in 2019, we wouldn’t hear about it until 2035, if even then.

Be discerning about everything you read or see on television. The media put themselves in this situation. No one forced them to be subpar. If it sounds outrageous, it’s probably just trying to get you to click on it…

Standard
#inspiration

Listening…

Nowadays we try to be the loudest voice rather than be an active listener. Listening takes effort; it’s real work rather than merely hearing someone. Listening is a deeper understanding, and it is where bridge building begins. Actively listening to others doesn’t come naturally, and it’s exhausting. But when we put in the effort, the quality of our conversations grows while our worldview expands…

Standard
Uncategorized

Gimmicks…

There are all kinds of shortcuts, gimmicks and tricks out there promising you “everything you ever wanted.” Hard work and sincere effort are the only certain paths, though. We value what we earn…

Standard
Uncategorized

Together…

Why are we tearing each other apart? The media and the politicians love to keep us stirred up and at our neighbors throats. Otherwise, we might come together and call them out for their fecklessness. Did not fall for it. Stand together…

Standard