nice thread and some very useful answers :-D

Anyone find themselves switching on the news in the morning and thinking "this is the day"?

Rense.com is very good and I check it every day too, but at the same time some of the material is completely fear ridden - got to sort the wheat from the chaff otherwise it can get you seriously down.

Warm regards

JT

Yeah, I see what you mean. It's a matter of balancing awareness with practicality without sacrificing one's sense of compassion. News can be a distraction/addiction when it eats up more time and emotional energy than can be returned via the lessons/actions you derive from it.

News can often be addicting simply because there's always something new. When boredom creeps in, just go read the news and there will always be something new and interesting. I guess the problem is that more often than not, these stories serve more as entertainment than information. Information helps you in some way, entertainment merely dazzles. The latter is little different from soap operas or scripted television shows...something with emotional content and a plot you can follow.

Once you get the general gist of an event, is it really necessary to dive into the details? For example, I read something like "three marines killed in Iraq today" - ok, something I've been hearing in variations for the past many months and this is really nothing new. Should I then read the story anyway and spend time, energy, thoughts, and emotions playing in my head what narrative is given in the article? I think that would be a waste, because it takes away more from my focus, energy, and time than is returned in awareness. If I read article after article, each barely containing any REAL awareness potential, then at the end I'm simply discombobulated.

So one thing I've done lately is at least read the headlines - and do some extra thinking on whether the full article is worth reading or not. If it's nothing new, or contains nothing more than a melodramatic appeal, then I don't read it. This way, I can keep up with what's going on in the world without becoming a looshbag.

That's what news mostly is nowadays. Lots and lots of distraction, either by sheer entertainment or by its emotional appeal, but containing no real substance that empowers us in anyway, rather the opposite. Once you learn the hidden dynamics behind a world situation, it's not necessary to dwell or obsess on its continued manifestations.

Exactly. And if you combine this with the fact that many times critical information you need to know synchronistically comes your way, that lessens the argument that reading the news every day is the only way to save your ass.

I agree with you that there comes a point when you choose between loving truth or loving lies. Some people have made this choice before coming to 3D, others make the choice later in life. I know those who don't care about the truth. They use the truth when convenient, otherwise it's either irrelevant or a burden. For them, their priorities and needs in life do not require truth to achieve. They exist on an altogether different stage of reality and have different evolutionary requirements from those who reach the point of valuing truth unconditionally. To each their own.

And even for those who seek truth, there is still the danger of accumulating useless information and trivia while thinking it's worthwhile to know. Or even worse, falling for disinformation and totally screwing up one's understaning.

Overall, I can make a general statement concerning this subject: the more time and energy you spend worrying about things you cannot change, the less time and energy you devote to things you can change.

however, it becomes difficult for me.  as i search for information, i must sift through things i'd rather not hear about.  this information sticks with me.  i guess what's frustrating for me is that no matter how much time and energy i put into learning about the world (what i see and don't see), i'm struck with the feeling that there is very little i can do as one person, besides be a positive presence in the world.

then i have to wonder:  maybe i'm better off being ignorant?  at least i could enjoy the material things the world has to offer and not bother to see past my own nose and ideas.  i may lose out on some knowledge, but at least i'll be somewhat content, right?

being intelligent and/or informed is as much of a curse as it is a blessing, in my opinion. 

to solve this dilemma, i'm trying to limit the amount of knowledge i take in daily.  it's hard, but i'm working on it.  obsessing over changing a situation for people 3000 miles away is no way to live.  obsessing over finding some way of exposing every conspiracy i've found is no way to live.  thinking about these things every minute of every day is no way to live.  by doing this, i lose out on living a life that was graciously given to me. 

in some ways, i can't put others before me, at least if i have no control over their situations, be it one person or groups of people.  i can't worry about them endlessly, but i can feel for them, and if a chance comes along for me to help them, i should take it.  but i can't ignore my own purpose here, whatever that may be.  does that make sense?

another thing i've found for me is that the news and conspiracy sites become a kind of addiction for me.  i keep wanting more and more information, but with the information i become more and more frustrated, angry, and convinced of the world's inevitable doom and destruction.  i think it's a little early to give up on human kind completely

i agree with what ChristineB. said, about the ripple effect.  We aren't meant to handle everything in the world, just what we're given.  The test in my mind is to be positive when we're given the opportunity.  Every little bit helps.

that probably doesn't answer your question, Montalk, but it's a way that i'm at least trying to deal with it.  i would be interested to hear your response.

I go to rense.com daily and read stories about things I can't do anything about and it just drags me down. Being dragged down is a problem from a metaphysical perspective because it drastically lowers spiritual defenses.

If I don't read the news, then I miss out on seeing what's happening in the world to notice trends and patterns, and lack of awareness generally isn't a good thing.

If I do read the news but keep myself from being dragged down, then that would be suppressing empathy and sorrow for the maimed and violated people of the world. So, faced with traumatizing stimulus, the heart either breaks or grows numb. Neither is desirable.

There are various spiritual perspectives I have come across, mostly having to do with the concept that all is in its right place, that people experience what they need to experience and that we should therefore allow others to have their experiences (law of allowance) and so on.

In other words, things like the holocaust, the current suffering in Iraq, etc...were/are the right experiences for the right souls for whatever reason. For example, the C's said that those who died in the holocaust were atlantean souls expunging collective karmic guilt. 

So then the question is, if people experience what they need to experience, what place is there for anyone's desire to help another? Seems like a paradox.

One way I can see to reconcile this paradox is the following: we can have empathy, sorrow, and the desire to help, but this is only worthwhile when it concerns someone or something that has crossed our path and could benefit from our actions. For everything beyond our reach, we can't do anything about, so the wise thing to do would be to practice the law of allowance. In other words, "let those who are there worry about what goes on there, since they are there for that reason."

Maybe this is still off the mark...

Anyway, I would appreciate some input on this dilemma. How should we approach the subject of news if it concerns dire situations beyond our ability to affect?

Some would say that awareness is good, and that turning our eyes away from the horrors of the world is ignorance. But I say, there are more horrors in the present world (let alone history) than can fit in your head or than your heart can handle, so one must draw the line somewhere.

The actually TRUTH is that the majority of "missing/kidnapped" children are taken by the other parent.

That's a good point. I didn't really think about that. Must be my age, and hence my  narrow perspective. But for example, the BC missing children rate is 20,000. How many of those do you think are kidnapped by the other parent?

And of the rest whom either just "dissapear" and never ever appear again combined with the ones that are kidnapped by pedophiles and Ted Bundy types, what percentage do you think are from those?

My reasoning is that my second paragraph labels events that I think are triggered not by emotional damage and what-not, but from the Lizzies' "tweaking some buttons" on their O.P.'s to establish high-quality energy-feeding. A nice guy like Ted Bundy suddenly is "re-wired" for a certain assignment. Originally he's a natural bridge between densities, but on Earth he can be manipulated like any unknowingly efficient robot. When there aren't wars occuring on Earth, there must be other projects or rather forms of energetic-"income" for the Lizzies to bring in their fuel. Perhaps in times of War, the child rate for missing is significantly less? Maybe not, maybe they push at it at all times. But I'm just thinking of the lizzies as "business-people". If we get peace, there is always something that is setup around the corner, and under our noses, that is the alternative needed to balance that peace.

In any case, I posted this because I believe in sychronicities, and after I overheard that on T.V. while on the computer, I was compelled as always to open my mouth.

Namaste.

BUT Nick Berg was parenthetical...so as to SHOW an example.  But we could take EACH topic you posted in the Current Events section if you care to. 

And I am well aware of the fact that you are not responsible for my buttons being pushed...I am also aware of the fact that BB was almost booted off the board...and I am also well aware of the fact it appears to me that you will defend your position and rightness - and are unwilling to step back and see the cause and effect of what you write.

It's been quite awhile since BB's posts were unclear and confusing.  It was my understanding that it wasn't the content, per se, but the confusing manner in which he posted.  It seems to have improved.

However, you were objecting to his content...not his manner. 

Warm regards,
Christine B.
PS:  BTW, Lyra, I'm not the enemy.

Why focus only on the Nick Berg post?  There are plenty of other world news topics which aren't very pleasant, nor are they things we can do something about.

Christine.............................................YOU brought up the Nick Berg post and questioned it.  I was responding to your question.     Otherwise I never would have even mentioned it.   So to answer your question "Why focus only on the Nick Berg post...."  it's because you asked about it.   

No, actually Christine to "follow the logic" it would be:   

Things aren't what they appear to be (with Nick Berg) = therefore = don't get riled up so quickly

Things aren't what they appear to be (with missing children) = therefore = don't get riled up so quickly.

Now...........how are things not what they appear to be with the missing children?  What would be a reason we should avoid getting riled up about this situation?   If BB can show us how things might not be be what they appear to be, then great, I'm all for hearing about it.  That's what I kept asking, in fact.    What are we supposed to learn or get out of this?  Other than getting riled up and feeding the feeders?

We're all responsible for our own reactions to things.   I'm not responsible for how you may perceive or react to something. 

And for good reason.  He was also almost booted off the board, so, it wasn't just "Lyra" with the problem.

I'm going back in and adding this on:   But it's not my intention to "start a row."   If that's how you perceive things, so be it.   I was asking a very valid question and making a good point.  At this point I'm bowing out of this thread, I'm done, I will leave it to everybody else to ponder the mystery of the missing children, and hopefully figure out what can be done about it.

Following my own logic...I appreciate everything you do post Lyra, because it does push my buttons quite often.  Thus, it gives me the opportunity to stalk myself and find out "why."

One thing I can tell you is that it's rare I can find another person with the intensity I have...so it's great to see yours.

Warm regards,
Christine

Why focus only on the Nick Berg post?  There are plenty of other world news topics which aren't very pleasant, nor are they things we can do something about.

To follow your logic "in the case of Nick Berg thread, that something "to do about it" involved adjusting your emotional reaction to events there were obviously not what they seemed to be" ergo
perhaps this missing children's situation requires "adjusting our emotional reaction to events...."

I think it bears mentioning that the reaction I get when I post slightly contrary to what you have written OR comment about something you have written that you do not like...makes me NOT want to post to you or comment about what you might say.

It's so incredibly predictable that a row will begin. 

I'm not on this board to find people who agree with everything I say, but to find people who will bring NEW things to the table, however unpleasant they may be, AND who are willing to help me see a different perspective, who might point out flaws in my thinking.

I've never questioned your motives Lyra as I know you want to help the board grow and its members do the same.  I am pointing out what, to me, appears to be selective.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that almost everything BB posts is objectionable to you.  He pushes buttons - knowingly or unknowingly.  So what?  Without sandpaper, you'd never get a smooth surface.  Without the irritation, there'd never be the pearl. 

When someone pushes my buttons, I TRY to look inside for "how come?" - not look at the button pusher.

Warm regards,
Christine B.

  I'm really confused here.  Yes, this is a gruesome topic.  Yes, this is something we can do "nothing" about.

But, if you go to the "Current Events" thread, I could find almost NO topic that wasn't gruesome (David Berg is pleasant?) or that I could do something about.

Please note my previous statement concerning Nick Berg:

"I had to stop and think last night about why I was driven to start this thread and keep it updated with any new info. that comes in.   I think it's because this is such a galvanizing event, it's a huge, huge big deal because of what will come out of it down the line, and also, because of the huge psychological effect it's having on the general public and how its swaying their opinon about things.   I want people to realize (like I have, much too late)  that things are not as they seem to be."
- May 14, 2003, "Nick Berg Video Being Declared a Fraud?"

That was the reason for me posting the Nick Berg thing, which I even stated over on the Nick Berg thread.    Can we do anything about beheadings that have already happened?   No.   Can we prevent them from happening in the future?   No.    Can we realize that things are not what they appear to be.......................And then adjust our reactions to fit this newfound realization??  Meaning, not get all riled up and upset, and not believing the official story?   Yup!   Absolutely!   So, nothing to be confused about I don't think.

It has been my goal (when posting serious topics, not humor)  to try to post stuff that bolsters people's awareness, and when there's something they can actually do about it.   In the case of the Nick Berg thread, that something "to do about it" involved adjusting your emotional reaction to events that were obviously not what they seemed to be.    I hate posting stuff that gets everybody all riled up, or full of fear and paranoia, or all upset and frustrated...................then leave them hanging.   

I'm not telling anybody to "strike" anything.   I'm asking.........What can we do about this?  What can be done?   What is Black Box suggesting?   It's very valid question.   More importantly.................where would he like to see this thread go?    What would he like to come out of it?

But, if you go to the "Current Events" thread, I could find almost NO topic that wasn't gruesome (David Berg is pleasant?) or that I could do something about.

So, my point here is ... this appears to be selective indignation over what BB has decided to post.  I often scratch my head at the various topics selected to be discussed or put on the board...but I'm working on the premise that apparently "knowledge protects."

The subject of missing children is in itself exploitative.  It grips everyone's heart strings and in the US for example was for a time period used as a "charity" ploy.  The same type of numbers that BB mentions were used in CA.  The actually TRUTH is that the majority of "missing/kidnapped" children are taken by the other parent.

What Lyra is speaking of is quite different I believe that what the media reports.  3rd world children and what happens to them is horrifying and beyond what I can even imagine.  Have you ever heard of the gangs and hoards of homeless, orphaned, abandonned children roaming the streets of Rio? 

It is impossible to "Fix" the huge big bad picture.  It is not impossible to uplift oneself, be kinder to a child, join the "Y" and be a "big sister"...etc...

The action of a) awareness b) doing something positive no matter how small - creates a ripple effect....

Censoring however seems the wrong tact. 

I realize Lyra, that you've given the caveat "is there a higher purpose...." however, to me, it's a bit like telling the jury to strike that comment.  The comment was already made.

Christine B.