“Every vessel, every container, will only pour out what is contained in it, and that’s very obvious. And so, your tongue is your ability to express what lies in your spirit: television, the movies, the friends you hang out with, the music you listen to. Everything around you is environmental forces that shape how your being is and how your heart is. And when you open your mouth to speak it’s like your heart is a sponge that absorbs all of this material from around you. Essentially what you’re doing is squeezing what is in you and what comes out is going to be what has been compiled in your mind and in your memory. Obviously you can only express in your heart what has been placed in it. And so in order for the outcome and the output from the tongue to be positive, the input in that needs to be positive: in spirit, in silence, in talking.. And throughout our lives.”
Now that Ramadaan has passed, I’ve reminded myself of the need to have positives in the ‘entertainment’ that I take in; and this is where I’d like to ask you – the readers of this blog - for some recommendations.
During Ramadaan, I was pleased to have had a big break from the “routine of entertainment” – you know, the forms of entertainment that become habitual, rather than necessary; and they don’t necessarily contribute anything good to your day to day life. You just watch/listen/take it in to pass the time; and because its what you always do.
But in Ramadaan, I did a lot more reading and – aside from some sport – watched very little TV. (Other than the Ramadaan shows we had on…but I recorded those and watched later, since I couldn’t stay to watch them at 4 a.m.) .
Anyway, I’ve got just 2 more episodes left to watch, and some reading material too. But, I see the danger ahead – once I’m done with those. Its so easy to fall into old habits, unproductive pursuits which you left for Ramadaan – but can be tempted towards again after Ramadaan; whether by actual temptation, or just plain boredom.
So, this post is about finding better forms of ‘entertainment’ and pastime: things that I’d like to make permanent and consistent, so that – in the words of the quote – the “input” is positive.
We sometimes under-estimate the effect that entertainment has on us, and for me, this period right now – right after Ramadaan – is an ideal time to evaluate what comes into us, what we absorb; and if we’re not truly happy with it, then change it.
That said, I’d like your recommendations on forms of entertainment, etc, that you would consider positive, or productive. It could be:
- radio shows;
- magazines;
- newspapers;
- websites;
- tv shows;
- basically, anything that fits the mould of positivity and/or productivity.
The only criteria is that its got to be aired/published regularly – and of course, the “positive/productive” theme as well. It doesn’t have to be Islamic-related either. Even documentaries about nature, for example, would do.
There’s a lot out there; and I’m sure we all have our favourites. So, rather than searching far and wide, I’d like this post to be a collection from all of you – a collection of your recommendations in this regard.
Obviously, many of us live in different places, so some recommendations may not be accessible to everyone. But instead of restricting this request to only things I could access here (Cape Town, South Africa), I want this topic to be open; so that wherever you are, and whatever it is you recommend, you can tell others about it. There may be other readers who are from your city/country, and it would be useful for them.
So, thank you in advance; and I hope this becomes a very useful resource for us all.
Y
