Don't let them infect you
Ray Mitchell
I just don't deal with the negativity. I can't get involved in that side of it. I don't understand it, and you can't let it take away from your life and what you are trying to do.
Rick Pitino
At breakfast yesterday with a consultant friend I suggested we should feel sorry for the soreheads, complainers and naysayers as they live such unhappy lives. I just wish they would use some of the energy they use trying to make the rest of us miserable on finding how they can live happier lives. What is really sad is how many of us let them suck us in to their dark vision of the world around us.
I am disheartened when I hear people who offer mostly hatred at a time when we need more tolerance and understanding. We have become so polarized that many have lost sight of the fact that we are all in it together. It seems like many are becoming almost tribal as they work to destroy instead of finding ways we can work together to build. Individualism is great but we must not lose sight of the fact that what has made our society work has been the strong individuals who have worked together building practical consensus as we worked to sustain a better society.
History has shown that hate just make things worse. If you find negativism sneaking up on you, you might find this antidote suggested by respected career coach Beate Chelette helpful.
Excerpts from Article: How to Disconnect from Negativity
You will find that I like acronyms and tools. It's easier to remember something if we can build a bridge in our minds. We are talking about K.A.R.L. which stands for Know, Accept, Relax, Live.
In this article I'd like to take a closer look at an often overlooked yet pleasant side effect of acceptance.
Energetically the process is simple. What you put out you will get back. If you expect bumps there will be plenty. If you expect difficulties and rejection your path will be full of it. The universe is here to agree with you. To ACCEPT what you are putting out. Let's face it. Tough situations come along in life and a dark cloud sometimes descends over us. It happens to the best of us and at times life just isn't fair. But while we can't change what has already happened we can choose how we react.
Idea 1 - When you fall into your personal black hole, allow your thoughts to exist, acknowledge them, thank them, don't fight them -- and know they will pass. Offer no resistance; let your thoughts go right through you and realize that tomorrow will be better. Don't spend so much time attaching emotions to your issues. Tomorrow you may be able to see that "this too, shall pass." -- Jewish proverb
Idea 2 - Time limit on negativity.
It's helpful to set a time limit for when you will put a stop to negative thoughts and allow yourself to feel better again. Remember that what happens in your life is part of a phase or rhythm, and leave it at that. If a specific issue is driving you crazy, how about setting a time limit to stop fussing about it by, say, tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.? Then, let it go.
Once you give yourself the time you need to succeed in achieving your own set of benchmarks, you'll find that making it happen feels pretty good. If you're still having trouble, then you'll need to double up on your efforts to accept the things that are fabulous about you, things that people around you compliment you on.
Idea 3 - Still having a hard time overcoming those negative thoughts? You can do what I did and refuse to think that this is all there is. This works exceptionally well for stubborn people such as myself. Thoughts such as, "is that all there is?" and "there has to be something better" are pretty powerful as well. Eventually the universe will agree with you and give you something better.
While it might sound trite, this works: try to focus on the positive aspects of your life--the glass is half full idea--and think about healing and improvement. Make a conscious effort not to dwell on negative thoughts whenever you catch yourself thinking one. This is how you get unstuck and move forward in your life.
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What we focus on, we empower and enlarge. Good multiplies when focused upon. Negativity multiplies when focused upon. The choice is ours: Which do we want more of?
JULIA CAMERON
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THINGS THAT HALLMARK CARDS DON'T SAY
My tire was thumping.
I thought it was flat
When I looked at the tire...
I noticed your cat.
Sorry!
~~~
Middle-aged wife to husband at computer: "Yes, honey, I think you can safely assume that a romantic e-mail from Paris Hilton is a prank."
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Nathan is talking to his lawyer. "Here's the deal, Abe. If you're absolutely sure I'll win the case, I'll give you the business."
"OK," replies Abe, "but before I can give you my opinion, I obviously need to know the facts."
So Nathan goes into great detail about his failed partnership and ends up saying, "So now you've heard everything, do you think I can sue my partner and get my money back?"
"Well," replies Abe, "from what I've just heard, it's clear to me that you will win. It's rare to have such an open-and-shut case."
Nathan goes very white when he hears this.
"What's the matter?" asks Abe.
"I told you my partner's side of the case," replies Nathan.
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"Whatever you're ready for is ready for you."
Mark Victor Hansen
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Looking at his portly patient, the doctor hands him a prescription and says, "Mr. Jones, you should make sure that you try to take these pills on an empty stomach...if such an opportunity ever presents itself!"
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"If you're being chased by a police dog, try not to go through a tunnel, then on to a little seesaw, then jump through a hoop of fire. They're trained for that."
Milton Jones
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When you have three boys, it's hard to know whom to blame if something goes wrong in the house. One father explained to a friend how he solved the problem: "I send all three to bed without letting them watch television. In the morning I go after the one with the black eye!"
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Treat each day as your last, one day you will be right.
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At the urging of his doctor, John moved to Arizona.
After settling in, he met a neighbor who was also an older man.
"Say, is this really a healthy place?"
"It sure is," the man replied.
"When I first arrived here I couldn't say one word. I had hardly any hair on my head. I didn't have the strength to walk across a room and I had to be lifted out of bed."
"That's wonderful!" said John. "How long have you been here?"
"I was born here."
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Negativity sucks away energy. If part of the negativity stems from your attitude or perspective, commit yourself at the beginning of each day and each activity to find something positive in yourself and in others around you. If the people around you are negative and you can't change that, either remove yourself from the situation or view it simply as one obstacle you face in pursuing your own potential. Stay focused on your own goals and make the best of the situation.
TERRY ORLICK
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Stay well, do good work, and have fun.
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
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