I received an email from a friend asking me this question: How do you deal with the emotional impact of difficult or depressing books? She abstains from reading books like Cry, The Beloved Country because it leaves her depressed and moody.
Mmmm. I finished that same book this morning and could not refrain from hiccupping sobbing during the last pages. It is a very sad book, but it tells what life is really like for those living in South Africa during the last century. I would never advise someone to go against their conscience when deciding what to read or watch, nor would I deride their choice.
I think I have built up a tolerance level for heavier things over the years. The first time I had a TV in the house I could not watch reruns of Hawaii 5-0 because it was too scary. Having grown up without a TV in the house, any suggestion of violence was creepy for me.
It’s a hard question, isn’t it? There is brutality, gross brutality in the world today. Our brothers and sisters around the globe experience distressing experiences daily. There must be a balance between a compassionate heart that cries for the pain that is explored, and a joyful heart that is thankful for the blessings in our own life. We can’t be mopey all the time; all the same we can’t live in isolation from the suffering that is out there. Do you have any suggestions or thoughts?
A Living Pencil 
You are asking a question like that to a person who had to shield her eyes while watching the reruns of the olympic skating pair who went down at the last second of their routine night before last!! They replayed the tape at least three times in 2 minutes in slow mo. Watching her letting go of him when he had her almost at head level and going down so hard and fast on the ice, that she had no way of breaking her fall, was more than I could handle. I covered my eyes by the third time through. You are also talking to a person who has never seen Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, The Passion of Christ or any of the famous Viet Nam movies. As a matter of fact, I have a difficult time finishing Bambi. If the story is fictional I can rationalize it away, but when it is based on history or fact, I have a tougher time watching. Yet, there are some things I think we just need to see or read, Like Missippi Burning, Rawanda (sp?), The Passion or To End all Wars, for example. The cruelty was brutal but necessary to that film, as it showed the more the man was beaten and tortured the more Christ-like he became to his captors.
On the other hand, for the most part, I would prefer to read those kinds of stories, rather than watch them. Suffice it to say, we all know and should heed our limitations, and respect the spirit’s nudgings on this matter.
MM, this is an important issue. Since I work with children’s literature, I am always aware of what influences them. And, of course, us. To a great degree we today are much more ‘manipulated’ that our parents.
You as a child were much less enveloped by a media web. You wouldn’t even have know these terms. And I think that was good and right. Perhaps it’s even necessary for children. How can their minds and hearts grow when they are constantly buffeted by outside influences?
I agree with Covenant Mom. Christians especially feel the pain of this media magnet influence. It’s not designed to help children’s beings grow. It’s not good for adult’s souls either.
It’s a problem all intelligent, civilized American struggle with, some consciously, most not. If you’re creative (which means in one sense you want your own link to reality), it’s really hard.
Thoreau influenced me as a young man. He was really wary of outside influences. We live in an older home; I don’t use network or cable TV (sports, live events excepted). No rock or hip hop etc allowed. It’s our house.
I usually try to learn from those I admire. Hopefully the really good people in your life (personal, community/national, or book-found) have secrets about how they create their garden. Listen and learn. Yep, I garden (tomatoes and other things). The garden is your place you visit to find peace, serenity, strength, goodness.
I’m new to Xanga, so this is freely composed. Hope it makes sense. I like your blog and thank you for it.
you grew up without a TV???? lol, jk;) love ya mrs bakker! (My 2nd mom;)
I am reminded by what Robert Murrey McCheyne wrote to a young friend of his going to college, that he should treat what he reads like a chemist treats the chemicals. In other words, words and images are not neutral, they affect life. I was commenting the other day to Brenda B. that my little boys had not a problem with the Lord of the Rings film (product of the “benefits” of being the young ones in a family of mostly teens), but that the cartoon version was terrifying to them. She said that stood to reason because the cartoon medium is more of the dream world than the film. The imagination is a powerful and precious gift, and must be cared for, either by parents for their young ones, or by one’s own conscience. And, even personally, to quote Jeanne P., there are times and seasons. I have a list of books and movies that I’d like to see sometime, when my heart and mind are both up to it. :0) -Bonnie T
Carol, I have officially made the step over to my own xanga. Please “visit” sometime, though I’ve not written anything yet!