How do you cope with bad news?

Every morning, coffee in hand, I say, "Alexa, give me NPR news." Then, if I can stomach it, I ask her for 3-4 other news programs. I can't emotionally handle graphics, so audio does a sufficient job of keeping me informed. BUT, of course, there are occasional days when I know that I just can't hear anymore brutal reality. My dog loves those mornings, as her interactive play time starts early!
 
Pepper said:
Did you feel the same way when you were young? About the civil rights marches, the anti-war marches?
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They were mostly before my time. I turned 18 in 1975 and by that time, most of the civil rights marches had subsided and the war was over.

My primary concern was the economy and the absence of jobs... even crappy jobs. When you're hungry, and you don't know where your next meal is coming from, food is your primary concern. Social movements may be a side interest, unless of course, you're directly affected by what the movement is trying to achieve. But I lived in a small town and not much was going on regarding activism.

I guess I was interested in environmental activism at the time... Pete Seeger and the Sloop concerts and protests along the Hudson River, which did have an effect on legislation. Remember them? I was from up the Hudson from NYC, but the sloops probably went down to Manhattan.
 
SeniorBen said:
I guess I was interested in environmental activism at the time... Pete Seeger and the Sloop concerts and protests along the Hudson River, which did have an effect on legislation. Remember them? I was from up the Hudson from NYC, but the sloops probably went down to Manhattan.
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Sure do, I was on the Clearwater, but in Poughkeepsie, I think the town was. Pete Seeger was a lovely, friendly, welcoming man. He had a general invitation for young people all the time. He was remarkable in his generosity.
 
Em in Ohio said:
Every morning, coffee in hand, I say, "Alexa, give me NPR news." Then, if I can stomach it, I ask her for 3-4 other news programs. I can't emotionally handle graphics, so audio does a sufficient job of keeping me informed. BUT, of course, there are occasional days when I know that I just can't hear anymore brutal reality. My dog loves those mornings, as her interactive play time starts early!
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I used to come home from work everyday and ask Alexa ‘What’s up?’

She would give me some off the wall news bits that didn’t make it to tv.

Now she passes it to a news network, so I don’t ask anymore.
 
leigh91657 said:
I used to come home from work everyday and ask Alexa ‘What’s up?’

She would give me some off the wall news bits that didn’t make it to tv.

Now she passes it to a news network, so I don’t ask anymore.
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Wow - I just tried that and it works! So, even if you don't want to hear it, I'm grateful for the shortened request! "She" went right into my 'preferred' news broadcast. Thanks!
 
Gemma said:
Start the morning off playing with my cats, then check the news on TV while I have a cup of coffee. Check news headlines on the net, read what I feel would be interesting, then check out my forums.

Mostly, manual labor keeps me sane and in good spirits. With all the land we own, there is always something to do outdoors...mowing, trimming, planting, etc. The wildlife visiting is a nice distraction. Greet and feed the feral cats too. Taking an afternoon break, sitting on the back deck with something cold to drink, watching the deer at the salt lick, then back to work once they leave.

Also hike and fish behind our home. And, there's firewood to split and stack for the upcoming winter. Busy doing something all the time!
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I also start the morning off playing with my cats. Andy is always at my bedroom door when I open it. He has the cutest little way of head-butting me to tell me he loves me. It is amazing how much their affection can brighten one's day.

I wish I had the rest of your life... outdoors, enjoying the wildlife, hiking and fishing. We will reach 103 degrees tomorrow in Dallas, so my time is spent indoors these days. I miss my walks around the lake!
 
Pepper said:
Sure do, I was on the Clearwater, but in Poughkeepsie, I think the town was. Pete Seeger was a lovely, friendly, welcoming man. He had a general invitation for young people all the time. He was remarkable in his generosity.
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I lived in Poughkeepsie when I was a kid. Did you ever go to the Last Chance Saloon there? I remember seeing some good shows there in the late '70s... Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and the Brecker Bros. are two that come to mind.
 
Just Jeff said:
Like for instance Germany in wwII ? First the sick and elderly were taken, then another group, then the children, then another group, ... ...
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I'm not saying I am oblivious to the news or don't care what is going on.. However, the way the news is produced today, every story is "breaking" news or a special bulletin. Heck, where I live the local news stations send out their reporters out on the streets when it rains during the summer time. As the original poster said, it is easy to become immune to such "breaking news" reports. It does not mean I don't pay attention. I just don't panic the way they seem to want us to.
 
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I like the Ben and Jerry's solution best. 😁

But, speaking of Alexa, I learned last night that Alexa has a sense of humor. I asked her to play a particular song, which she did, and when it was over, she said, "By the way, [my name], the tablecloth you ordered from Amazon has been delivered. It's in your mailbox with the rest of your mail."

That kind of thing doesn't surprise me any more, so just to be funny, I said, "Thank you, Alexa."

Usually, when I say thank you, she answers with "You're welcome," "Of course," "No problem," etc. This time, I got a full blast heavenly chorus singing, "YOU'RE WELLLLLLCOME!" in full harmony, with pictures of flowers and angels on the screen.

The programmers must have been having a slow day and decided to have some fun. It gave me a much-needed laugh.
 
Sunny said:
I like the Ben and Jerry's solution best. 😁

But, speaking of Alexa, I learned last night that Alexa has a sense of humor. I asked her to play a particular song, which she did, and when it was over, she said, "By the way, [my name], the tablecloth you ordered from Amazon has been delivered. It's in your mailbox with the rest of your mail."

That kind of thing doesn't surprise me any more, so just to be funny, I said, "Thank you, Alexa."

Usually, when I say thank you, she answers with "You're welcome," "Of course," "No problem," etc. This time, I got a full blast heavenly chorus singing, "YOU'RE WELLLLLLCOME!" in full harmony, with pictures of flowers and angels on the screen.

The programmers must have been having a slow day and decided to have some fun. It gave me a much-needed laugh.
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Haha - just tried it and YES, I've been serenaded! I also thank Alexa and quite frequently scold her for being obstinate and just repeating things when I'm seeking elaboration!
 
I refuse to join the "news junkies." I walk outside everyday, read great books, sing and strum my guitar and plan trips. Right now I am on my way to "the last frontier," Alaska. I can't stand TV news and dislike most radio news. The only news that I do look at is on the internet where I can scroll titles. I might read about inflation, interest rates and gas prices but ignore most murder stories, the war in Ukraine and certainly never read any of that Covid 19 propaganda.
 
We're getting oversaturated with news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There's nothing we can do about it (other than provide Ukraine with weapons), and in all likelihood, Russia will prevail. It's sad. I don't need to know the daily details, much like I don't need to know all the little details about some things that are going on here in the U.S. I know enough to know that it's a bad situation. If the criminals are punished, then sure, I'll read about it. But chances are, they'll get away with it... the people at the top, anyway. A few people will be scapegoated.
 
You ever hear the expression "don't let the little things bother you"? I'm just the opposite, big worldly events I have no ability to handle I don't worry about, war, gas prices, shootings, inflation, stock market, etc., I don't like those things but also don't worry about them.

Now getting my lawn mowed, helping my kids and neighbors, what's for lunch, those are the things I worry about.
 
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