love thursday: living your crazy, sexy life with intention

Even with all the noise, the chaos, the anger, the insanity, let your heart remain true. Photographed with Nikon D300, 35mm lens.

Have you turned on the news, lately? It's insane: the news coming at us from all directions seems to be all gloom and doom: the economy, the state of global affairs, the environment, crime - really, it's horrifying. Frankly, if I actually watched the news every day, I don't know how I would get up in the morning.

But I have a theory.

I have a theory that while yes, things are in a sad state of affairs, the reason we're being fed this constant stream of terrifying news is not just because "we have the right to know," as is often asserted, but because bad news sells. Collectively, we love staring at the screen (computer or television), watching the flashing images and scary words, and uniting ourselves in fear, and anger, and righteous indignation. And all the while, the media is eating it up, because more eyes watching their flashing images and scary words means that they can command more money from their advertisers. I have a theory that from the media's perspective, it's all good.

But you know what? I strongly believe that living in fear, anger and righteous indication is no way to live, even if we're united in those emotions. And I believe that there's a way to balance remaining informed without sinking into a quagmire of dispair. I think maintaining that balance is all about living with intention: it's about being very conscious and present in your life, as much as possible. It's about limiting the toxic, and choosing to focus on what is good and healthy for you and your family to consume -- and I'm not just talking about food, here, but what's on television and what's on the internet. What you read, how you speak, and the activities in which you choose to engage. What surrounds you in your home and in your life.

I realize that this may sound very saccharine and unrealistic to completely focus and intend on good, and trust me, I don't believe that one person can change the world. But I do, very much, believe that one person can change his or her world. And if enough people change their own worlds, that very well might be all we need to make a difference.

As part of my recent obsession with the power of intention, I came across the site of the inimitable and awe-inspiring Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Cancer. Several years ago, Kris, a documentary filmmaker, was diagnosed with terminal, inoperable cancer, and told that she only had a very short time to live. If you still don't believe what I have to say about the power of intention, check out the 5-1/2 minute video below of media clips featuring this amazing woman. If she doesn't convince you that tweaking your outlook, your intention and your conviction can make magic happen, then nothing will.

TV appearances '07 from Crazy Sexy Life on Vimeo.