the television... a love/hate relationship

TV.. it sucks our time and our attention. More than once my husband has heard me say the words " I HATE TV" and sometimes I do well, dislike TV. I dislike ESPN Sportcenter especially and the hunting movies on the outdoor channel that Jon watches often. I dislike soap operas and meaningless talk shows, sitcoms and Seinfeld reruns.

I like watching the first 15 minutes of the 10pm news ( news, weather, skip sports). I like watching Greys Anatomy, Private Practice, The Bachelor and occasionally Oprah if its a good topic. I don't like how the TV tends to be ON a LOT in our home. I have to say though since I have been home and unemployed, I haven't been turning it on more than an hour in the morning to watch Good morning america for a while. It kind of helps that there aren't any good shows on yet. I am hoping not to get sucked in to any new shows this year because I HATE TV.

I admire those rare few people in the world who don't allow TV in thier home. How great would that be if we all played boards games and read books and socialized with each other? Kids would play outside and with toys and not media. I love my DVR but on the other hand, I would give up cable in a heartbeat just give me the main channels on an antenna for free. I would love to think when we have kids that we could not have a TV, yet i know that there are some good educational shows/DVD and all parents need a break now and then.. I would like to limit it though when that time of life comes but the hardest one to convince would be my husband, he hates it when i make him turn the Tv off.

If you asked me if i would rather read a good book or watch tv, i would rather read yet so often it escapes my mind to turn of the meaningless tv to read a book instead. And its mysterious to me when i am home in the evening, the TV is on as a companion noice background, now why not some country music or a worship cd instead or just silence? So often my time with God is lacking, yet when i look back on my day or evening i had time for the tv or internet for that matter? Doesn't make sense.

So as much as I love some of my shows, I hate the way that TV makes you waste time. My new goal once we move is to change how often the TV is on and sometimes just read, do devotions more or listen to the radio or play a board game with Jon or something. There are better things in life to do...