In a time like this it's important to be aware that right above our heads is a large funnel. The wide end of it gathers in information from as far away as outer space and the other side of the world, and from as close-by as the next room or our own body. Then they're dumped out the other end into our minds. Most of what is dumped into our funnels every day is negative, tragic, or threatening. We're even primed for bad news in small ways - like when we try to relax and watch a favorite TV show and find ourselves warned over and over by a large map or cautionary message that a thundershower is coming.
Reality is the healthiest way to deal with life.
I do suggest, however, that we do more to get all aspects of reality into our funnels, not just the ominous. We're too passive for our own good. We gullibly take in whatever is fed us. We make minimal efforts to filter out what is excessive, unnecessary, or unhealthy. Most of us have strong emotional aftershocks from the tragedy on Sept. 11 and the war on terrorism now under way.