Turning my back to it

I think I've mentioned that when I went to the Buddhist retreat I was told to turn my back to evil. At first I thought that seemed ridiculous, but now that I've had time to process it a bit more, I think that that is good advice.

I only have this one life to live. I don't exactly know what's coming up next or if I will be back so this is it. Do I chose to let hatred, violence, fear, etc. ruin my life? Do I chose to let the bad of the world bring me down?

No! I chose to turn my back to it. I will not watch the news. I will not listen to mindless gossip. I will not pay attention to anything negative. If that means I have to live a life in a state of oblivion; if that means I have to live in a state of mild ignorance....so be it.

I prefer to live this one life I have happily. Meanwhile, I will do every thing I can to alleviate other people's burdens. I will do all I can to contribute in a positive way to the world, my world, my daily existence.

But as of this moment forward I turn my back to all that is negative in the world. I chose, mindfully, to ignore it... to leave it be, unless of course I can actively make it better.

Life, moment by moment, will direct me where to go, how to help, what to do. I refuse to live a fear based life any longer. This is my one and only shot at this thing...as far as I know, for all I know. I'm going to make the absolute best of it. I'm going to give it my very best. So why concentrate on anything other than the best and most positive in life? Nope. Not gonna. Just not gonna.