Four Hours
According to recent AC Nielsen and US Census Bureau data, the average American spends more than four hours a day watching television. Over thirty hours a week. Over two months a year.
If you asked the average American to list the five things they value most in life, I bet “watching television” would not be on most of those lists. Likely, those lists would be composed of things like family, faith, friends, nature, or health. If you asked what the average American’s favorite hobby is, they’d likely say travel, or food, perhaps arts or crafts, exercising or having coffee with friends. In fact, I’d be willing to guess most people would like to spend more of their lives actively pursuing many of these other things they value and enjoy doing. If I am right, and if you would like to think outside the television box and enjoy one sixth of your life more than you do today, then I invite you to take the Four Hour Challenge as the first step.
The Four Hours Challenge is simply to turn off the television (or computer, or video game – whatever is leeching your time away nowadays), for one entire day, and spend four hours doing something that you value more in life. Do something nice for a loved one. Volunteer your time at your church, or with a charitable organization you are passionate about. Go into nature and experience life. Go to a bookstore, get a cup of coffee, and read. Whatever it is, make it something you are passionate about, that you value deeply.
