Living Vicariously Through Television

My friend just got done watching an episode of The Practice. She said she gets that it needs to be emotional but there's no need for it to be so heart wrenching.

I disagree.

The reason people watch television is to live vicariously through it's characters. You want to cry? You watch Once or P.S. I Love You. You want to laugh? Anchorman will undoubtedly do the trick. Who doesn't want to have a bad love story go good a la Meridith and Dr. McDreamy? And who doesn't want the gay best friend that will make you laugh until you cry, like Karen and Will?

People watch television to escape reality and that's ok. Because let's be honest, everyone needs a little "I can make loads of money, have a fabulous love/sex life and maintain the best friends in the world while fundraising to find the cure for cancer." Right?

That's not to say you can't live your dreams. I think people need to be reminded to live life like it's going out of style, you never know when you'll get diagnosed with a deadly disease (swine flu anyone? Kidding). So as they say, live life without hesitation. I'm a big believer in living in the now without thinking 5 years ahead.

It's kind of like that movie, "He's Just Not That Into You." Whether it's a relationship, a promotion, deciding a living location or picking out cheese at the deli, make choices for face value and don't construe a secret meaning behind it, don't over think it. Although, every once in awhile there is the exception, sure.

I'm going to sound like a GIANT hippy but I really think there are two things that affect your mood, and that's happiness and love. Tuesday's With Morrie puts it perfectly by saying, "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

I think that applies to all relationships - family, friends and lovers (or as Celine Dion would say, lurrrvers). I also think letting it come in is the hardest part. Once that is achieved, everything else will fall into place in time.