Imagine if television were designed to spread positive thoughts and ideas—it could be such a powerful tool for good. But too often, it’s used to do the opposite. Recently, Spike aired a show called Conceal and Carry, focused on arming yourself against “the bad guys.” Every commercial break was filled with ads for guns, cheap ammo, and where to buy them.
The show pushed a relentless “don’t be a victim” message, a common scare tactic in advertising. Viewers were drawn into the dramatic presentation: bold red letters, ominous music, and an entrancing flicker of the TV screen. Fear was the star of the show. (Did you notice how your attention was drawn to the red letters? That wasn’t by accident.)
One example they shared was of a woman who had been attacked while on a cruise. It’s undoubtedly a horrible experience, but the takeaway was that she now feels safe because she took a handgun course. Quick question: You do know guns aren’t allowed on cruises or in most foreign countries, right? Just checking.
When will we realize that focusing on fear, hate, and worry only creates more of the same?
By shifting our attention to positive, uplifting thoughts—like how hilarious a comedy or hypnosis show was, how much love we have in our lives, or even simple blessings like food and shelter—we open our minds to “positive possibilities.” Dwelling on negative “what-if” scenarios only locks us into a limiting mental space.
Here’s a reminder: Every hour, hundreds of airplanes land safely, and millions of people live their entire lives untouched by crime or terrorism. Strange, isn’t it? Those who don’t focus on fear often never encounter it.
My wife and I recently bought a Sony PlayStation Move, and it’s been a game-changer (literally). Playing tennis or volleyball has brought so much laughter and joy into our evenings. It sparks fun conversations and pulls us away from the 40” screen that often seems like a “Hypnotic Trance Inducer” for negativity.
Life really is good when we choose to focus on the things that bring us happiness.