I happen to disagree, but that’s not the point.  We can all hold opinions and express our concerns, it’s a free country.

But I can guess exactly what TV news network she watches, because her opinions directly reflect what some personalities are putting out.  And, like those on TV, she offers no particular insights about what steps to take.  It’s just the elevation of anxiety.

I don’t find that particularly useful.

What I’ve learned over the years is that my moods, viewpoints and attitudes become a reflection of the information I take in and the people I hang out with.  And that’s the danger with just connecting with people that agree with your point of view.  They reinforce your biases and amplify your thinking to the point that you may not even be aware that other points of view might be valid as well.

Here’s the exercise that you should challenge yourself with every month:

• Am I connected with people who offer different points of view in a way which supports constructive dialog?
• Am I challenged to question my thinking and actions every day or two?
• What information sources do I use that really just inflame my emotional response rather than causing me to become a better person?
• Am I connected to the people who are more like the ideal person I want to be?

It can be tough to give up habits which provide short term pleasure but are taking us in the long term direction.  But it’s worth the effort.

An important resource

I’ve been reading an interesting book recently called The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin.  It’s something that might be useful for people who are struggling with the idea of whether to just quit, or to continue to work through tough times.

Whether you’re struggling with key relationships, a troublesome job situation, or other kinds of major life decisions, this book can help you to think through the tradeoffs.  It’s quite inexpensive and a quick read.

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