NEGATIVITY ~ A to Z Challenge
My A to Z Challenge.
What I'm doing: OFF the CUFF ~ Basically, I'll be keeping posts short and writing about whatever moves me~themes, inspirations, causes, and silliness. I'll stick to my normal posting of Mondays & Wednesdays (possibly an occasional other day), highlighting the appropriate letter for said day. But I will visit blogs throughout the week. I am looking forward to reading your words!
Negativity
Imagine your perfect evening. It could be with family or friends or both. You could even be alone or with new acquaintances you've met at a business meeting or writer's conference.
Snow could gather you on a ski mountain or maybe you're all on a sandy beach somewhere in the Caribbean. A walk in your neighborhood, where you smile and wave at those who live around you, would do, too.
And then, your grouchy Aunt from up north shows up, her chains of complains and eye for the imperfect clanking behind her; she's even spatting at those. What happens to your perfect evening? Are you the sort of person to get eaten up by such negativity, or can you laugh it off?
Despite what elements of life we encounter, WE are ALWAYS the driving force of our reactions. No one makes you negative. It's all in how you choose to absorb an encounter. Our ACTIVE perception of life around us, in us, and through us belongs to us. I'm not saying Auntie North is easy to deal with. Heck no. But how are you going to choose to let her influence you, your attitude, your mood?
Concentrating on what we have will ALWAYS prosper us. Focusing on what we've yet to gain or achieve is like pouring steaming, sticky tar in our paths. It will only create more potholes and delay our growth.
So true, we have a choice about how we react to negative people and control our thoughts. Though sometimes it's hard to be positive. Those are the times to really remember to be grateful for what we have. Trying to remember this with all I'm going through.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard to overcome negativity especially when you have an experience right there in front of you like a grumpy aunt. That's why it is so important to develop a habit of taking control of your thinking and your attitude and practicing having an "Attitude A" everyday. Then when those aunts show up, you are more skilled in able to address negativity with the kind of thankfulness you describe. Thanks for a great N post. Maria from Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteCircumstances don't put us in a mood - we place ourselves there.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just wouldn't let that aunt in the door.
Avoid toxic people! That's my number one rule. And that includes a relative or two.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as you said "your grouchy Aunt from up north shows up" I literally bristled. I guess I'm the kind of person who gets eaten by negativity even when I'm trying to be positive.
ReplyDelete"Despite what elements of life we encounter, WE are ALWAYS the driving force of our reactions. No one makes you negative." Well said.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2014, My Latest post
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
We can only control one thing in life - our attitudes.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
It's terrible when a person's negativity soaks into the people around them. Someone close to me is always, always complaining about her health, a real downer. Lot's of negative vibes there...But we need to shake off negativity...
ReplyDeleteHi Sheri - taking on someone else's negativity is just not an option .. but some people seem to thrive on negativity .. and others always see the lighter side of life ..
ReplyDeleteJust many need to remember life is positive and we are so lucky for so many things .. cheers Hilary
Aw, cheers back at you! Some people do thrive on negativity. Especially in a small town, from my experience anyway. Not sure if they're board or just don't want to see their own lives. Either way, I'm slowly learning to give a caring glance and then move on.
DeleteNegativity is SUCH A DOWNER... I try so hard to be as positive as I can, but there are times...
ReplyDeleteLike Auntie, that tries my patience. But you are so right... we need to control our reactions and make the best of things. It's not easy, but in the long run we protect ourselves.
Yes, we do protect ourselves. I never thought of it like that. Thx!
DeleteI know people like that, always finding the bad in everything rather than looking for some good.
ReplyDeleteSo true! So, so true. It is hard to stay positive when faced with a negative person, and I really don't enjoy being around people who drag me down. I like to think of myself as a fairly positive person, and prefer to be around others who will uplift me. Great post!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, do you by chance see my "C" post? It was about Community and I gave a shout out to you on there. Just thought I'd let you know! :)
You always have a choice. Love this! It's a question of perspective and focus. You see what you train yourself to see.
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
Well said! :D
ReplyDeleteI shake off people's negativity. I'd rather just not talk to them and walk away. If I have to, I'll grin and bear it for the minimum time needed, and then go my merry way.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I just had a visual of you grinning and bearing it. lol
DeleteI tend to be the person who always sees the bright side of any situation. It helps to beat off negative people, but sometimes they wear down my positive attitude.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that most of the negative things in my life are annoying rather than catastrophic. And I choose not to be brought down by annoyances. Great post!
ReplyDeleteA fellow kid-lit author, Kathy @ Swagger Writers
Great advice. We have choices. Looking at the negative only makes us miserable. It's best to find the positive. I always remind myself to look around me and see others that really have problems, which helps me put my own troubles in perspective. Thanks for the reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I became a much happier person by concentrating on what I have. Enjoy the weekend! Untethered Realms
ReplyDelete*nods head* So true. It's hard at times, though. Thankfully, writers have such an amazing arena in the internet to support each other.
DeleteSometimes it's difficult to stand away and not allow the negative to get under our skin but it's always the wiser, more healthy reaction to such a situation.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from AZ. Enjoy the rest of the Challenge.
Yes, that is very true. It is very difficult at times to see the positive through all the negative. That's why we have each other!
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Ah, always good to try to try this suggestion. Usually I fuss for a while on these types of inconveniences, then adjust. ;o)
ReplyDelete