When did people, a general term for everyone out in the world, become so negative? I shake my head every day wondering where on earth those folks find the energy?
Yes, because it has to take so much more energy and perseverance to keep up that negative attitude. That's why positive people sleep less, or maybe just sleep better.
On a daily basis, whether its at work or out in public, I cross paths with so many people who are negative to the core. I understand that the people I serve at work are sick or not feeling 100%, I cut them some slack. I'd be grumpy or "not feeling the friendly bug" too. Never though, ok, that's not true, it does happen....but RARELY do I speak to someone whom I am trying to help that is truly negative and harsh on purpose.
But....what about those people who don't have a valid excuse for not "acting like themselves." (that's what I tell patients when they apologize for being rude) "You're just not yourself." So what's everyone Else's excuse? There isn't one. When you gossip behind your co-workers back, fail to remember nobody is perfect, obviously ignore another person's existence...oh the list goes on. That to me, and let me clarify this is MY definition only, is negativity. You aren't spreading positivity, so it must be the opposite.
I've worked the better part of the last 35 years with a variety of people, personalities and so on. Never, and I mean this time, NEVER have I worked with a group of individuals who have nothing better to do in life than trash others, create unwanted drama, and encourage a hostile work environment. Seriously! And I've worked with a lot of women. I don't know if it's an age thing...or what. But it's exhausting to be around.
When I receive poor customer service, a HUGE negative in my book, I recognize it and ask for better. I sure as heck keep that in mind while I'm helping someone get to a healthier place in their life. From parents of children with cancer, to the 98 year old woman who is still scheduling her own mammograms. Why is it so hard to expect and receive good customer service from your co-workers. On a scale of 1-10, I'd score myself a solid 8. Very rarely do I get miffed at something someone says to me over the phone. So why do I get sucked into the negativity others bring in as easily as they bring their lunch? I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
War, famine, death, poverty.....sadness, depression, wow, I could go on. All these "things and events" create a negative in our lives and world. It's not hard to spread a little positivity light into the darkness of negativity.
I fail at times. I'm human, and it's worth being honest about. The difference with me is that by nature, I'm a fairly positive person. The silver lining bit...the whole thing. Susie Sunshine. Pick up a depressed person's spirits with hug or a smile. You can't take the depression away....why not just do what you can and offer something good?
Negativity, as a whole, pisses me off. I think it's so hard for me because I watched one of the most influential people in my life go through life with a big fat NEGATIVE sign carved on her back. Nothing anyone did made her "happy," Everyone had an ulterior motive for anything they said or did in relation to her. I watched her turn people away who wanted friendship. She never learned to dispose of the negativity and allow the positive inside. It's sad now when I think back on it. Polar opposites is how I describe my parents. Father....a pretty easy going, over achieving, terribly competitive, but nurturing dad. Mother, all negative in comparison. But that's another blog.
For now, I shun negativity.....you awful beast. Instead, I'll just keep being me. What can it hurt? At least those closest to me get the very best of me, those I serve daily get a smile they can "hear," and I can sleep at night knowing that my positive attitude just might have touched someone, somewhere in a good way and because of it, they had a good moment, day or week.
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