Cooking shows are really popular these days, as are all kinds of reality shows, and of course sports events. But watching something is a step removed from living. It's an activity that engages the mind, not the entire body - heart and soul included. Watching doesn't engage the whole you. It's disengaged, detached. It's like grazing versus digging. That's why they say that we learn by doing.

When I sit in front of the screen and watch a cooking show I may ooh and aah, I may be inspired, but I am not deeply engaged because I don't do. When I stand in the kitchen chopping, sautéing, saucing, tasting, spicing, smelling, creating I'm in the zone because I'm doing. When I watch a dance routine I may be amazed, but I'm an observer of someone one else having all the fun. When I dance myself I'm inside myself, I am the action, I am the dancing, I am having the fun - I am living, I am alive.

Enjoying life and creating meaning is about more doing and less watching. Here a related post on playing more, because playing is pure doing.