DIRTY LAUNDRY
They say music is timeless, you won’t get an argument outta me. Lately one song in particular seems to be stuck on the turntable of my mind, with the arm up. I hear the keyboard. I sing it; duuuh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh. Repeat. Then the heavy drum intro; duc-u-doon-duc-u-doon, “I make my living off the evenin’ news… just give me somethin’ – somethin’ I can use. People love it when you lose. They love Dirty Laundry.”
That little Don Henley ditty from ’82 speaks to the human condition and emotions. “It’s interesting when people die, give us Dirty Laundry.”
With the news of uncertainty, and a good dose of speculation tossed in, it’s easy to get caught up in the growing hysteria that is sweeping our nation and the world.
According to Newsweek, the week before this last one Fox saw its ratings jump 89%. CNN soared up 193% and all the other major and cable news outlets increased significantly as well.
I guess Don Henley was right; people do love Dirty Laundry. Business is booming for the news outlets. The more watchers, the more they charge for advertising. They’re going to squeeze every last penny and human emotion they can out of this crisis. They’re not about to let a good crisis go to waste.
Being informed is one thing, but letting our entire lives be consumed by this crisis is another.
For one, I cut all the overhead I could from within our company that I could and worked even harder and longer than before. But the most effective action I took? Dropping to my knees.
I studied countless Bible verses on “fear”, Old and New Testament. With time, study, and prayer God granted me peace in the midst of the storm. While I still have moments of anxiety in this crisis and face, once again, risk of loss in all ways, I have gained enough wisdom to know that God’s will is going to be done… regardless of my emotions.
In a nutshell, from back in the day, I gained a deeper understanding of how fear separates us from God. Our God, who promises to never leave us or forsake us, has no fear.
If and when we give more reverence to a crisis, or anything, that sits in the palm of His hand with us, we spiritually slap the face of the One who is sovereign over His creation.
I’m not a doctor, but I highly recommend lowering the daily doses of Dirty Laundry.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 @ 1:05 pm
Great thoughts today my friend! I am not familiar with the song but sure sounds like it would fit these days and times. I decided awhile back, long before this fiasco, that I would limit my exposure to negative news and dirty laundry left hung out to dry. i wish for a soon end to this speed bump in the road, but also know God has His timing. blessings my friend as you navigate these waters. Don’t get tripped up by clotheslines. And hitting your knees? The best thing.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 @ 2:47 pm
You give good advice, Floyd. (And chose a good song.) I’ve been watching less news; it just creates more anxiety in me. I do keep up with what’s going on, but I’m careful with the quantity and the source. God bless you, brother. We’re all on our knees.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 @ 4:50 pm
I have all but virtually stopped watching the news. I am very selective at what I allow in any more.
I work in the medical industry as an IT resource and even on the periphery, I hear more than I would prefer.
I am paying attention enough to know what the expectations are in regards to distancing.
I can’t agree enough with what you discuss here Floyd… it is spot on.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 @ 5:12 pm
Been praying for your business brother. Jared has been put on vacation for now because his company build high end restaurants and other places at the airport, shopping centers, etc. He said they had 15 jobs lines up but of course they cancelled for now. He did get called out once this past week since he is their safety man which makes him valuable. And he goes in tomorrow but other then that, well that’s it for now. His company is widening their skills to other areas, but who knows. Someone ask me if was afraid of this virus, I said not really but I am being wise and staying home and trusting.
We too have limited our news watching. I am getting ready to write up our moving saga during this crisis. Yep, Jared finally bought a house and by the 15 of April they will be living in it. It does not have anything for us right now but I have not forgot your offer. So we are packing to and moving up to our RV in Mn. where our daughter lives. When the band is lifted to travel and visit people we will do some up north during the summer. I think we are going to become snow birds, summers up there, winters in Southern Ca. We are looking into the option of a drivable RV for winters in Ca. Or adding something to Jared house, or just throw it out there and see if some one has an empty place they need sit for a while. Odd time for a move but it will happen in God’s timing. we are paid up where we live till the end of April. Trust and Obey fits this time for me…never Dirty Laundry, but I am positive everyone has seen the dirty laundry that can flow from a less then trustful heart as we deal daily with what is going on, I know for sure I ‘ve seen mine. I’ll just keep praying.
Monday, March 30, 2020 @ 12:00 am
I downloaded the news app to my Fire TV, but don’t use it really. The only thing I keep watching is what the President says. But switch it off as soon as the questions start. Our country is in dire straits and people just keep bashing the leaders. I had to block an old friend because he/they choose only to look at the bad qualities people have.
In this time we should all be united, not divided!
Monday, March 30, 2020 @ 12:48 am
A friend recently said about the news; “Give ’em bleed, and they’ll read.” So true. I’m tired of all their dirty/bloody laundry, so I don’t watch. I occasionally listen to the president and reports from my state’s governor, but that’s about it. During a time such as this, I’m with you, I believe the most effective action I can take is dropping to my knees.
Monday, March 30, 2020 @ 2:02 am
Wow, Floyd, that Scripture…that surely puts things in perspective! I am lifting you and your family up! May The LORD, our God, be all of our sustenance!