Turn Off Your TV and Turn On Your Life!

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This week's Every Monday Matters message is:
Turn Off Your TV and Turn On Your Life!

FACTS about Television in our society:

- 99% of all homes in the U.S. have at least one TV—50% have three or more.

- 68% of all 8- to 18-year olds have a TV in their bedroom and 49% have a video game player there as well.

- A person watches TV an average of 40 days per year.

- Children spend nearly 2,000 hours a year in front of a TV, playing on the computer, and playing video games, compared to 900 hours in school.

- 200,000 violent acts, including 16,000 murders, will be seen on TV by a child before their 18th birthday.

- Roughly 70% of all shows include some sexual content, with an average of five sexual scenes per hour.

- 57% of parents admit to having some degree of difficulty in getting their teens involved in meaningful conversations; and, 74% of parents are not sure their teens are even listening when they talk.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

+ Turn off your TV today. Tape the “No TV” sign to all TV screens so that you don’t turn it on out of habit.

+ Designate certain TV-free times throughout the week to reduce viewing hours.

+ Remove TVs from bedrooms, the kitchen, etc.

+ Make a list of activities to do besides watching TV―activities like reading, biking, swimming, walking, gardening, or socializing with friends. Then start doing them.

+ Avoid using TV as a reward―this only increases its power.

+ Be more selective about programming―

choose history (http://www.history.com/),

travel (http://www.travelchannel.com/),

cooking (http://www.foodnetwork.com/),

home repair/design (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home),

and other educational themes (http://www.pbs.org/).

YOU MATTER

70% of people say that no matter how hard they try, they never seem to have enough time to do everything they need to do. Are you part of that 70%? If you gave up TV for just one day a week, you could exercise the recommended weekly amount necessary for healthy living, read over 20 books a year, or spend more time with your loved ones. Instead of watching reruns of Friends, go make some!!!

What is the Every Monday Matters program?

Monday used to be the least favorite day of the week, but that is changing. EMM is based on the idea that every Monday people can make a difference in their life and the lives of those around them. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world. Together, each person can make a difference in the world and raise the collective consciousness, thereby creating a legacy worth participating in…one Monday at a time.

For more information about the EMM movement visit: www.everymondaymatters.com

I personally don't watch much television.  I'd rather be outside when it's nice or on my laptop reading great blog post and talking to all of you. :-) 

My son watches a lot of history and cooking channels during school breaks.  He is usually too busy with homework during the school year.  Soon our favorite Sci-Fi show will return for a new season.  Then our Friday night ritual of Pizza and Sci-Fi starts up again.  I look forward to TV when it includes Family time. 

How do you feel about 'television' and it's 'power' over our lives?

Have a wonderul week, Everyone..... 'Turning On Your Life'!!
Blessings & Hugs to you All!
Coreen