Suggestions for Assignment Two
Things to Avoid
- Movies, TV shows, books, paintings, photographs, games, magazines, music in which any of the following is the main focus:
- Violence
- Fear
- Hatred
- Meanness
- Politics
- Death
- Suffering
- National News
- Local News (unless there is an impending disaster in your area such as a hurricane)
- Talk shows that promote screaming, hate-filled interactions between guests (Jerry Springer, etc.)
- Political debate shows
- Music that makes you feel angry or sad when you listen to it
This list could obviously go on and on, but it's really only there to give you an idea of what I mean. Once you cut those things out for a couple of months, you will come to recognize the difference between entertainment that does and does not populate your mind with joy.
Here are some ideas for alternative sources of entertainment. Try to keep an open mind and don't make snap judgments about whether you will like something or not until you've given it a good solid try.
Things To Gravitate Toward
Movies
- Comedies (these are the best "seeds" you can plant at this point)
- Uplifting dramas (tear-jerkers are fine as long as the main focus of the movie is not sorrow)
- Adventures (as long as they are not primarily violent or fear-based)
- Classics
- Romances
Television
- Reality shows that feature people getting back on track or helping each other
- Talk shows that promote laughter, music, growth or self-development (The Tonight Show, Ellen, etc.)
- Sitcoms
- How-to shows
Books
- Self-help
- Science fiction
- Romance
- Cozy Mystery
- Spiritual
- Comedies
- Hobby guides
Games
- Board games
- Card games
- Non-violent video games