You can do without it. You don’t need it.
In my childhood I loved watching TV. I could watch it for hours at a time. When it was the summer holidays I thought I could wake up and just watch telly all day long. On reflection there wasn’t that much on worth watching. Even these days of enough material to binge watch for a year or so, there’s not really that much worth watching. Back in those days there certainly wasn’t enough on the TV, but it didn’t stop me thinking that there was.
Thankfully my parents would often tell me to turn off the TV and do something more worthwhile with my time. I remember being on the verge of tears at the thought of having to do without watching an episode of Why Don’t You or Hartbeat (ironically those programmes were designed to encourage me to do something useful with my time away from the TV). Yet the message was clear.
You can do without it. You don’t need it.
I went to the library one time. Started reading a book. Liked it, kept reading. Before I knew it time had elapsed and indeed I didn’t even remember there was the need for the television.
A major breakthrough was the first year of university. I had my own room in the halls of residence. I had a lot of things that were my own, but I did not have my own television. By the end of that first year I did without the box for most of the year diving into all sorts of other activities and pursuits that highlighted in case I needed it highlighting that I didn’t need it, I could do without it. Not only could I do without it, but life could be even richer for the time not spent watching stuff on the box.
From time to time it comes to my attention that other things might take up my mind to the point of thinking that I need it and cannot do without it. Might be the mobile device, could be football, might be some people, could be some of the things I eat, might be blogging. The pattern becomes ingrained and the habit kicks in. I might tell you I am fine, but see if I can come away from it or keep from thinking about it.
A marvellous remedy for that is focusing on what really matters. Appreciating the eternal and the unseen and dwelling on how I really do need that. Dwelling what I really need, what really defines me, what really revives and regenerates me. Enjoying the reality that these can be experienced without reference to any material objects. Not only that, but from dwelling on that, everything else can be truly be enjoyed.
It’s great being reminded of that. It’s further useful to hear the word of a father figure even greater than my earthly father that reminds me.
You can do without it. You don’t need it.
There is only one thing you need …
(Photo by Arjunsyah on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 