Stop watching the news! Stop reading newspapers! Indeed, we have to keep up with important developments in the news but, beyond that, normal people wallow in bad news, love discussing bad news and being the first with bad news. And, unfortunately, you know what they say, bad news sells newspapers so the newspapers and TV stations are full of bad news – and that lulls us into arriving at the bizarre conclusion that we’re not all that crazy when compared to others (bear in mind that there’s over seventy years research from the field of psychology which, when taken together could lead even the casual reader to the conclusion that all normal people are crazy). But that’s only the news. What about so-called “reality TV” – so-called “normal” people entertaining us with their bizarre behaviour?

These programs are dangerous for what’s left of your mental health (I say “what’s left” because the research that I’ve just mentioned proves that “normal” people have lost the plot). These “reality” shows comfort you in the mistaken belief that, at least, you don’t live next door to the neighbour from hell, that you won’t have to jump into a vat of man-eating insects at work today or that your husband or wife isn’t running off with someone they’ve just fallen for on paradise island!

However, the real problem is that not only do these programs have nothing to do with reality (ask the people of Haiti, Rwanda or Gaza) – these programs actually confirm your mistaken belief that your life is real. In fact, however, your life is as off-the-wall as those programs. To confirm this, take one step back and consider the behaviour of some of the people that you meet on a regular basis. You’ll find people bitching about other people, people delighting in other’s misfortunes, husbands beating wives, wives beating husbands, bosses bullying staff, staff spending half their working day on the internet – nobody living the life that, in reality, we should all be living. Unfortunately, the way the normal mind works completely divorces us from reality. We think we know what’s going on and then mindlessly react to it. That’s not a theory, it’s scientifically proven psychological fact.

Your life has nothing to do with real reality. Your reality is a figment of your imagination. It’s created by “snapshots” that you have in your subconscious mind – these are your beliefs about how the world works and, more particularly, about yourself. These beliefs are constantly being reinforced by your habitual repetitive life and, indeed, by all the other normal crazy people around you who are living similar lives in their own individual versions of reality. Actual reality is something quite different from your clouded perspective on it. Actual reality is where the energy of all things vibrates in and out of manifestation, moment to moment. In other words, actual reality is here and now. It is before your blinded eyes, your deaf hears and your hardened heart – all of which have been divorced from the present moment by the raging torrent of thought that flows ceaselessly through your mind.

But, if you stop that torrent and came to your senses, not only would you experience what we normally call a “natural high” (when we are captivated by what’s going on in the moment) you would also realize that you are not your accumulated perceptions of who you think you are – you are whatever you want to be and your life can be whatever you want it to be – within reason. But you need to come to your senses to realize this and then capitalize upon this self-realization. We have five senses – they are our only interface with reality – and research shows that, as adults, we pay little or no attention to what our senses are actually telling us. Our sick and confused mind thinks that it knows best! You’ve got to train yourself to really see, feel, hear, smell and taste the reality of the present moment – the only time and place in which you can begin to fashion the life that you really want. And that’s not some theory either, there’s plenty of evidence to prove it – after all, your mind is creating your reality at the moment. So, if you change your mind you really can change your life.

So, in fact, not only should you stop reading the news and forget about reality TV – you need to be very careful, what you listen to and who you hang out with. You need to be always on your guard so that you can make sure that you don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by the nonsense that passes for normal behaviour, normal living and, therefore, normal reality, every day.

Author's Bio: 

Willie Horton has been enabling his clients live their dream since he launched is now acclaimed two-day Personal Development Seminars all the way back in 1996. His clients include top leaders in major corporations such as Pfizer, Deloitte, Nestle, Merrill Lynch, Wyeth, KPMG, G4S and Allergan together with everyone from the stay-at-home parent to sports-people. An Irish ex-banker and ex-accountant, he lives in the French Alps from where he travels the world as a much sought after motivational speaker and mentor. In 2008 he launched Gurdy.Net where is self-help seminars are now online. For more information visit Willie Horton’s Personal Development Website Gurdy.Net