Television... Friend or Foe?

Often in our house, like many others, someone is watching television, and I ponder the irony that television though not "holistic" by nature, can be a  friend or foe.

The obvious down sides of television are glaring - they do emit some "radiation"  http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/ResourcesforYouRadiationEmittingProducts/ucm252764.htm.  Surprising, even to me, they have the potential to emit low level x-ray radiation. As someone who avoids x-rays, when given a choice, this does give me pause.  My children turn on the television, at their whim, as I have not imposed specific limits.  Feeling that they are in many ways limited in their lives... we eat differently than many of their friends - use different products in general,  I find myself not wanting to limit them and make them different as far as the "pop culture" of television.  But  next time  I extract my youngest from her place, nearly  inside the television,. I will  be reminded once again clearly that this could be detrimental to her health.  I do find myself more and more saying to my girls, "Lets turn off the television and find something else to do..."  Admittedly, after our family practice doctor  mentioned that children should view no more than one hour of television per day and use the computer for no longer than that, I pondered.... there are days that particularly the youngest (3) might be watching for quite a lot of the time the eldest is in school.  As I putter around  doing  laundry, cooking, tidying up, etc.... she might say, "Mommy play with me..."  and I "In a minute... when I finish...."  And soon I hear the television go on, but busy as I am,  I say, "I will get to her soon...." and sometimes soon  becomes hours.... But thankfully, there are days, that  I don't hear the TV go on very much, if at all.  And that is good, in my opinion.  

But I have to admit, there is a high  end to television.  Sometimes, late at night, when I am flipping around the channels, I come across the most incredible speaker I have ever heard.  Only when public television is doing its yearly "pledge drive," with various speakers and their  books or CDs given in exchange for your donation and membership for the year, have I heard Wayne Dyer speak.  He strikes me as so wise and spiritual, yet entertaining and really captivating; I could literally  listen for hours.  When I googled his name, just a moment ago, I found a You Tube video, and so if you have never heard him, know  that you will not regret clicking on this link...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urQPraeeY0w.  And likely, though his books are available through book stores and on-line, I might never have stumbled upon his work, were it not for my late night television viewing.  And Dr. Oz, the newest phenomenon on Fox television... he speaks to the general public, but  introduces them to foods and natural remedies, in a way to which  the mainstream can relate an example of  television, on a daily basis, helping move  some, closer  towards the holistic life. So television is not all bad.  Don't  stand too close (remember your mother's "4 feet away please."  Remember the doctor's recommended no more than one hour per day (and at least aim  closer...).  And yet recognize,  when watched with intention, seeking that which promotes our inner well being, health, and growth,  the introduction of television can be a blessing!