Tuesday, April 3, 2012

a good choice

I don't have much to say today other than documenting a little something I'm proud of. 

Last night, while Chas was doing his fantasy baseball draft (for three hours- what!?), I was trying to find ways to entertain myself for the evening. 

In my boredom, I remembered that we own a TV and decided to turn it on to see if there was anything worth watching. 
This almost never happens. 

I watched the last half of The Voice.
Entertaining enough. 

And then a show came on that I've been watching on Hulu. 
Smash

In my opinion, Smash was good at first. But then, over the last few episodes, the show has gotten progressively more...trashy. So much drama, so much unhappiness. Each week, as I go to watch it, I tell myself that this time will be better. But it's not. And all I'm left with is a gross, dark feeling. 

Last week, I turned it off early and made a promise to myself and Heavenly Father that I was done. I was no longer going to allow that junk into my home, into my mind. 

So back to last night and my boredom and need for a time-filler. 

It was embarrassingly difficult, but I turned off the TV. 
I chose the right. 

It felt good and I rewarded my good choice with some ice cream and a hot bath. 

But not before I marched triumphantly around the living room singing "Choose the Right!"

It's a small, silly thing but I think lots of small, good decisions can add up to a whole lot of integrity.

26 comments:

Kylie said...

I had a similar experience with "Veronica Mars" on Netflix. It was surprisingly hard to stop watching it, but I felt good about my decision once I did. Yay for choosing uplifting entertainment!

Brooke said...

I love this Sam! You are so right, that is best feeling when you conquer something like that :) thanks for helping keep things in perspective!

Anonymous said...

Yay for you. Choosing the right choice is sometimes hard, but soo rewarding once accomplished :)

The Brown Family said...

I love how openly you wrote about choosing the right... Sadly the world is getting harder to choose right from wrong, but your simple task is truly setting an example for others that might not think twice during such a moment!

Jenna said...

This is how I felt about Glee. I loved the first season and could over look the less-than-savory moments. But the second season felt different to me. I watched some of it but didn't enjoy what I was seeing. It felt dark and sad. I realized the dark feeling I was getting was the Holy Ghost telling me not to watch it anymore. So I stopped. It was hard. I loved Glee. But after a few weeks, I realized I didn't need it in my life and I was just fine without it.

Good for you for choosing the right!

Stephanie Shepherd said...

This is great! And you're right - some of the entertainment that's out there isn't so entertaining afterall so high fives to you! Recently myself and my boyfriend decided to just cancel cable. Feels good to walk away from that nonsense! :)

Mal Mecham said...

Thank you for validating me! (Though you didn't know that you were) :) I loved that show in the beginning but decided to stop watching it for the same reason you did. Way to be an awesome example. :)

Catherine said...

It's so unfortunate that so many shows have so much trash in them now. It makes me feel so sick! Way to be a wonderful example of choosing the right! You are awesome!

McKenzie said...

LOL so cute! thats something a lot of people dont have the courage to do, so GO YOU!!
its so sad that so much of our media consists of junk.

<3
Kenzie

Jessica said...

I agree, integrity shows more in the small decisions that build up. And, when you practice making good small decisions, it makes the big decisions that much easier :)

Maggie said...

Good for you!! :) It's so easy to get sucked up into the worldly shows and we consider it the norm.

At least I know I do.

Sounds like your night was way better spent with ice cream and a hot bath...sounds delightful!

meme-and-he said...

it's amazing how trashy some popular shows are...and you don't even realize it until you are watching with someone else or you sit back and realize what the jokes are actually about. Good choice!

zlb said...

Sam I am on the same page, I watched the first couple of episodes, but was let down by the distasteful content. Siiiigh. You choosing the right will help me keep my resolve not to catch up on what I missed while travelling last month. :)

Jenny said...

I had the same problem with Glee. Dang those TV producers for taking shows with so much potential and trashing them. Good for you for turning it off!

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

They don't make shows like they used to. TV back then was a whole lot more entertaining, tv back then was not trashy at all. I hardly ever watch tv now a days. I would rather spend my time blogging. =)

Amanda said...

I agree. I don't have a Facebook or anything like that due to the addiction factor.. My husband and I don't even pay for TV!! Our rule is.. no technology in the bed room!

hooray for you!

Check out my blog:
http://amandagrisham.blogspot.com/

Amanda

Daily Photo 2012 said...

I often think when I'm watching a really horrible TV show that I should switch it off. I think you've inspired me to do just that!

Unknown said...

Good for you! I'm the same way with TV shows. I know that most of them are trash and I too have promised not only myself, butt my Heavenly Father to eliminate it. it is so hard, but totally worth it every time.

Valerie said...

I used to watch Bridezillas ALL THE TIME, until I finally found the strength to turn that off too. So much negativity! Thanks for this reminder that we don't have to watch what's popular - we should fill our minds with lovely things.

Amy said...

I just stumbled upon your blog, and I am so glad I did! I have been unable to let go of Smash mostly because it's something to watch on DVR while I eat my breakfast. But I agree, it started out feeling much more creative, and has become so soap-opera-ish.

nikki said...

Good for you. Now, next step.... get rid of the TV altogether. You will be happy that you did.

Unknown said...

Oh my, I have always validated myself in watching and listening to certain things, but lately I've been feeling the need to change that in my life, and a day later I read this post.

Knowing that someone else chooses the right even when it's hard definitely helps!

Hannah said...

The same thing happened to me with Glee...I totally understand and admire you for making the right choice. TV can be so addicting.

Nelson said...

I miss you. I absolutely agree with you about Smash. I had to do the same thing with Smash and Glee. It is trash, and our time can be spent doing way better things.

Jesseca said...

OH MY GOODNESS me too, with smash. I was in love with it at first but after awhile...I was like no no no let's not watch that. So. Yay you. and here's to more wholesome tv shows making an appearance in the future.

Hermana Cooley said...

Thanks for choosing the right!! And.... thanks for leting me know it wasn't good! and for giving me the courage to leave it behind. I started watching Smash too and I've known it's not the greatest show, but I needed an extra push to put it behind. Thanks so much!!!! :D