Negativity is everywhere! We’re all guilty of spilling it out into the Universe. At least I know that I can be. Especially when it comes to internet. I think it maybe easier to write when you’re venting.
For awhile I thought it maybe me, but I see it everywhere. All the negative comments on Facebook status updates, Twitter post, venting blog post, or maybe just under someones breath.
How many time do you find yourself complaining about someone else. Could be a stranger, a politician, a celebrity, a friend, or even family member. It could be something as little as “I can’t stand her shoes” or even as big as “she’s a bitch.”
It’s easy to point out what you don’t like about someone, especially when they don’t hear you. It’s even harder to point out something you like about someone, even when they can’t hear you.
We’ve all been guilty of it.
I’m not holding anyone at fault. Nor am I point fingers, because like I said, I’m at fault too.
So I’ve been thinking…
They say happiness begets happiness, so wouldn’t that mean negativity begets negativity? If you put negative vibes out into the world, shouldn’t you expect to get negative vibes back?
So I’m going to pose a challenge to myself and you this week. No negative post, no negative tweets, no negative facebook status updates and no negative whispers about anyone, friends or strangers.
Does this mean your status updates need to be “My life is so wonderful” everyday? No, but how about, “beautiful start to my morning” or “already got my work out in today, ran out of gas and had to walk 2 miles to the gas station.”
When someone cuts you off, rather than screaming at them, why not just brush it off to their mistake and be done with it. Is it really worth the aggravation?
Encounter a grumpy person, why not smile at them and wish them better day. You can only blame yourself if you let them get to you.
I’m going to be realistic about this challenge though. I know that I can’t stop cold turkey. So why don’t we break it down into daily challenges this week.
Monday
Count how many times you say something negative about someone (behind their back). Even if it’s just a bad driver comment. At the end of the day, write that number down. Now imagine that was the number of times someone said something negative about you in a day.
Not such a nice feeling, is it.
Tuesday
Every time you say something negative about someone, try and say 2 things positive about someone, even if it just to yourself.
Wednesday
Try and tell a positive story rather than a negative one. Instead of “I had such a bad day at work because…” try “I really enjoyed hearing my favorite song on the radio.” I know, corny, but you get the idea.
Thursday
Try and catch yourself before you say something horrible about the lady who cut in front of you at the supermarket. Find something positive to say about her, maybe it’s her shoes, or hair color. Anything.
Friday
Repeat Monday’s task. Is the number less? Now double that number. Try and think of that many positive things to say about someone you would normally say something negative about.
I truly believe we create our own happiness. If you’re having a horrible day, the only person that can make it better is you. If someone has done something to irritate you, think before you react. Is it really worth the stress?
If all you do is complain about your situation, do you really have anyone to blame but yourself?
Good luck! Let me know how this week goes.
Don’t forget to stop over here and learn how you can win a free year of housekeeping. Now wouldn’t that help make you happy? 
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This is going to be tough for me. Perhaps easier than it has been in the past because I dubbed myself on “Unintentional Mean Girl” about a month ago when I was describing my online presence to someone I’d rarely connected with who asked me why I was so “keen on zingers at the expense of others”. That one definitely cuts like a knife if you ever hear it and aren’t really aware that you’re being that way. Back of the mind? Sure. Admitting it outright? Rough.
I’m starting tomorrow though. How much greater would the general attitude of society be if we were all a bit more courteous and heaps less negative??
We’ll see Seid…we’ll see.
I like you! LOL
Oh man….you sure picked an appropriate time to do this. I’m dealing with something kind of serious right now that is causing a lot of anger inside me and I’m really struggling to keep a lid on it for the sake of my kids. I’ll take you up on your challenge….you made a great point about negativity begetting more negativity. It’s going to be tough….but I’m going to try.
Something similar crossed my path a few months ago… Someone told me to reclassify everything I saw in my life that was bad as a blessing somehow. For example: My ex husband is not the ideal father and it really makes me mad the way he is SO hard on my kids. The blessing is that my kids HAVE a father. Some kids don’t. So, even if he doesn’t do everything MY way…he does love my kids in HIS way….and love is always a blessing.
A lighter example could be: I was late for an appointment because I forgot my cell phone and had to turn around to go back and get it. The blessing is that I realized I didn’t have it BEFORE I got all the way to my destination. Kind of silly but….if you can find a way to see a blessing somewhere in every bad situation, the situation doesn’t seem so awful…even if marginally so.
Well, like I said….I’m up for your challenge.
I just posted a negative facebook update because I am so frustrated with my printer/scanner I could scream! Will find a way to turn it into a positive tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder to think positively! I needed it right now. : )
watch Office Space my friend! I used to have a printer at work that behaved liked that fax machine–It was hysterical.
Not sure how anyone could look at that photograph and feel anything but joy.
Good topic for me. I actually took an online quiz yesterday to make sure I am still a glass half-full person. Thankfully, the online quiz gods declared that I am. I try to balance every bad (or disappointing) event by acknowledging the other side of the coin. Lately, we’ve had our share of “life.” Everything from a flood in our kitchen, to a car accident involving my daughter’s vehicle (she was not driving), to the very sad news this past Friday that our bulldog has cancer.
My belief in the glass half-full has been tested. I am trying to remain positive though. Negativity does nothing. Adds nothing to my day. Or to the days of those I encounter. And, most importantly, I don’t want to raise negative children. I really don’t. Negativity seems to be a trait that is passed down from generation to generation. I don’t want that for my kids. The truth is, people don’t like to be around people who are chronic complainers.
Thanks for the post–Theresa. Very timely. And, thank you for the good luck tweet yesterday. That was a very nice (positive) gesture on your part, one that lifted my slightly depleted spirit.
Yep…I failed already and it’s only Monday. I’m all about personal accountability lately so I’m admitting it here. My step-dad has terminal cancer and we had a pretty major setback today so I’m having a hard time being positive or finding my happy. I DID find the blessing that he has phenomenal nurses tonight in the oncology/hospice ward who are looking out for him….but my happy has been squashed for the day. I’ll try again tomorrow….okay?
Umm you my dear have a good excuse!
Funny, I checked your blog after a few days to find this post LOL! I literally just posted this as my FB status :Its going to be a good day! Its going to be a good day! –Yes GOOD day I tell you! Must stay positive and put on my happy face!
I was just thinking of all the negativity I myself have been spewing and want to change it!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!
I lost my job today….but on a happy note I can now say outloud what I think of them
Love this idea, but it’s definitely a challenge for me because often times I hash things out and speak negatively (mainly just to my hubs or BFF) in order to get to that happier place. I need to get it off my chest to then see the good. Obviously not the little things, but the larger things I’m upset or mad about. I guess I’ll try to catch myself earlier in that process!