*Turn off the TV and turn on your own life*

(This image is from a series done by the video-sculpture-artist Nam June Paik)

If you watch a lot of TV, you are passively ingesting values and products that are probably not addressing your personal depth and individuality. Even the trendy-'alternative' shows that seem to promote diversity and unconventional lifestyles tend to rely upon lowest common denominator humor and thinking. And, while they may contain current issues and provocative story lines, there is a glaring lack of depth and authentic emotion in how these human dilemmas are played out.

For example, it is a common theme for the main characters to gain social/personal power from being slack, ironic and detached rather than being passionate, receptive and creative. Even the 'reality' shows, which claim to document real people doing real things are not very real at all, they are just edited and remade into a sequence of images specifically geared to get your attention (and subsequent advertising dollars).

Either way, trying to identify with a fabricated world that you can never really participate in is harmful to the self, and it inevitably leads to feelings of dissociation, isolation, and powerlessness. So, if you are buying into a great deal of mainstream media that leaves you feeling inadequate, exhausted, and disoriented, I suggest trying to expand your range of material. If you do not feel inspired and elevated by who and what you are seeing, there is a simple solution--turn it off.

Creative Strategy
Yes! Now we are ready to get 'turned on.' We can do this by finding interactive media, such as the internet, which encourages us to feel connected. This kind of media is a virtual event, not a static object. We can talk back, create forums, and publish our own views. While mainstream advertising and thought are most certainly present on the world-wide-web, it still exists in its very nature as an outlet for diverse, individual expression.

It's time to get involved in your community on any level, be it 'virtual' or actual, by finding others out there who are creating interesting and authentic lives for themselves. Do a search on the web for interesting people and activities. One fun way to find interesting people and organizations is to think of creative and random words that appeal to you and enter them all into a search engine and see what comes up. You will be amazed at what--and who--you may find.

Try contacting the people who have creative sites and related projects that inspire you (I have met many amazing people this way). See what happens. Share ideas. Make plans. Take healthy risks. From there, you can start your own message board, web page, or your own online zine. If you want to create your own blog, it's easy-- just go to http://www.blogger.com and start writing! That's how this blog you are reading right now was created...

On a local level, you can look through the daily paper or more alternative publications for unusual groups doing things that spark your interest. Or, start your own special interest group, community radio program, or special event night. The possibilities are endless. By doing this you will connect yourself to the activeness and diversity of real life.

Every creative event you've been to, every inspiring book or paper you've read, every innovative website you've been to, and every great film or musical performance you've seen was created by someone just like you. Yes, you. While these creators may seem to have more talent, experience, resources, and funding than you (at this point) most had humble beginnings. All had challenges. The big difference is that they took the risk to do it--despite their fears. So don't be afraid to jump in and speak up. The world needs your creative output in order to reflect the depth, diversity, and true beauty of what it means to be a human being.

This e-postcard is from
a great site called
The Buddhist Channel.
Please visit their
inspiring site at
www.buddhistchannel.tv/