By Gregg Sanderson
It’s always something—If it’s not one thing, it’s another.— Roseanne Roseannadanna (Gilda Radner)
Here’s a challenge for you. Turn on your TV and flip around the dial. Chances are you won’t have to wait long to hear some BS about some awful thing that may happen to you.
Clever people plan commercials to interrupt the most interesting part of a program. Their message then goes straight to the subconscious while the mind is on the show.
It eludes awareness, and adds to the BS that tells you you’re not OK. Something is missing from your life, and disaster is inevitable.
The commercials are effective because we don’t pay attention. When we consciously confront them, they lose their power.
They tell you you’re too fat. Go into debt for a weight loss program. Your car is old. Get a new car and go more into debt. Insure it with a reptile on easy terms. Then you can put up your house and go further into debt to pay off your debts.
Before social media, there were introduction services. One guaranteed you’ll find a partner in six months. If you don’t, they’ll give you six months more of what didn’t work. Another modestly promised the “love of your life” … if you have a life.
A commercial for a pill to overcome shyness warned of sexual side effects. O. Henry must have had a part in that one.
If you aren’t scared yet, we have a pandemic that might interest you.
“Talk to your doctor,” they say. Picture it. The whole medical establishment comes to a screeching halt as we all talk to our doctors. We must have a drug we saw on TV to cure an ailment we’ve never heard of but might have.
Armed with a sense of humor, the advertised side effects are a gold mine of material! My favorite was: “…possible serious side effects including death.” I couldn’t help but ask, “When is death NOT serious?”
Now try to keep a straight face when a commercial says, “Talk to your doctor.” Wash your hands and don’t pick your nose. Laugh at the disaster BS. It’s diffused as it’s refused. Keep your mental channels clear, and have fun with the disaster messages. Be a FUN-daMENTAList.
*BS = Belief System. What did you think it meant?
Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.