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Who amongst us has not been affected by Hurricane Katrina? Whether we were in the eye of the storm or on its fringes, this new source of tragedy, devastation and horror has befallen us, the people of the world.
What can I do? What's to be said? How can I help? Why has this happened? What's coming next? When will the tragedy stop? What's it all about? Why them and not me? What if it had been me? Why is life such a struggle? These are some of the questions people are asking – sometimes out loud of each other, and sometimes quietly of themselves.
There seems to be little reprieve from the sadness and sorrow and grieving. And so many people are so angry; there's a lot of hollering and yelling and blaming. The venom and vileness that is coming from so much anger feels as violent as the hurricane itself – and surely it must be just as damaging.
Since August 29, every time I turn on the TV I click through the channels hoping to hear a little good news. After getting yet more dismal information about the aftermath of Katrina (as well as any other sad stories currently making headlines), I turn off the set feeling desolate, and desperately wanting for all of us to be able to find some lemonade conversation that surely must have been squeezed from this big lemon named 'Hurricane Katrina'.
Many of us use the media (TV, radio, newspapers, etc.) as our principle source of connection to the world. In times of disaster and turmoil we feel safer if we connect with one another. We commonly turn on TV or radio to do just that. However, as things stand, most of us walk away from a dose of the news on TV feeling worse than we did before. Those negative feelings that we have help perpetuate the negative feelings of others in the world. This is not a good thing! Remember, the law of attraction states that 'likes attract likes'.
I acknowledge that there are some of us who know that this hurricane, like other tragedies, is part of a bigger picture. Even though we cannot understand why the pain, suffering, and death of many individuals occurs, we are certain it is for some higher and nobler purpose than most of us are able to comprehend at this time in our evolution. There are those of us who are choosing to be in the feel-good place of seeing people being helped, of knowing that our government will do the best it can to rebuild and restore, of reaching for a better feeling that's one-up from sadness and sorrow. Some people are remembering – and letting themselves feel - the fun times they experienced in New Orleans while holding the intention that the city is rebuilt and thriving better than before the hurricane occurred.
Still, this is not enough.
Here's what I propose:
Let's create positive talk radio and TV at an international level. (There are many such local shows that exist right now but they are not far reaching and are unavailable to the masses.) We could tune into these stations when we want to feel connected to the goodness that is innate in us all and the joy that prevails in the world. In the darkest of times these channels will afford us safe harbor from the storm, a place to come in out of the rain, a reminder that we have so much to be grateful for.
- Fine journalists will report about the good news that is happening at local, state, national, and international levels.
- There will be true-to-life dramas that have happy endings.
- Bad news stories can be reported IF a good news story immediately follows. The intention behind this is to make obvious that balance exists in the world and also to remind people that we can know and feel joy only because we have experienced pain.
- These stations and channels will not be the place to become informed about car accidents, robberies, rapes and murders.
- In a time of disaster, such as we are experiencing now, the event will be discussed non-politically. Also, non-traditional and metaphysical points of view will be discussed in an effort to assist people to have faith and hope.
I'm done my list for now. I'm sure I'll have more to say as time goes by.
Help make this happen!!!
The one suggestion I offer right now is for each of us to write to the major TV networks and radio stations demanding this for ourselves. What suggestions do you have? Perhaps you'd like to form an action group? What are your ideas?
- I am willing to support you individually in this effort through 'brainstorm' one-on-one coaching.
- I am happy to be the 'come to' person. Meaning you come to me in order to connect and communicate with each other; I'll be your liaison and help make that happen.
- Let's talk about all of this September 29 while I'm on Contact Talk Radio. Tune in and call in. [The show airs at 10:00 AM, PST and MT; 12:00 PM, CMT; 1:00 PM, EST.] In Seattle tune in to KKNW 1150 AM, or all of you can listen live through the internet right here at the appropriate time for your time zone. If you call in during the show you will stimulate interaction and conversation with others across the country.
Please be part of this effort. Let's turn the hardship of the hurricane into an opportunity to bring about news reform in the world!
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