tuning in

Listen less to the news and more to your heart.

-- Alan Cohen


I'd add, because I almost always feel compelled to add something, that if you happen to be aware that listening to the news connects you more deeply to your heart and your fellow man, then by all means, go for it.

But if you are like many folks who feel angry, hopeless, powerless, or depressed after hearing the news, then perhaps your time could be better spent in some other pursuit that uplifts you. Maybe it's just me, but I haven't noticed very much positive and sustainable change being facilitated by angry, depressed people.

In my opinion, good ol' Gandhi said it best: You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

It seems to me that the seeds of change that are most likely to sprout and eventually blossom are cultivated by our clearest minds and most loving hearts. When we are more interested in understanding our neighbors, politicians, and adversaries than in judging or condemning them, we are more likely to find common ground where we can plant something new together.

The heart can observe unity where the news portrays division. The heart can extend compassion to those that the news demonizes. But since the news is pervasive in our culture, most people probably will not find it practical to avoid it altogether.

So I propose an experiment: Try listening to the news with your heart. You may hear a completely different story. And your heart may inspire you to take a concrete action that actually becomes part of the solution.