Eliminating the Negative

Chances are, in life, you will encounter negative people. You know the kind who are absolutely determined to see the bad in everyone and everything. The kind who are constantly putting others down and spending their time criticizing everything in their path. Yes, I'm sure you know just the kind of person I'm talking about. Sure, these people may have their good side too, but they can be so draining to be around, especially when they are being extremely negative. There isn't a lot you can do to change peoples behaviours, unless they actually want to change, but you can take steps to make sure you are a positive person! If you are able to see all the amazing things in the world, instead of just seeing all the problems and things you don't like, you will be surprised at how much more free you feel. So friends, let's charge onwards to make our lives as positive as possible!

Yes, I was a very negative person once. I was the one determined to see fault in every little thing, and I always preferred to criticize, rather than compliment. It's not easy turning yourself around, I'm not gonna lie! But you can - and really should! - try. Firstly, you have to realize that being positive and happy does not mean you become ignorant to the worlds problems. There are better ways to deal with problems in the world that upset you, rather than sitting around complaining and making everyone else feel sad too. Yes, some things might still make you feel really angry - like poverty, the governments decisions etc. - but these are things worth getting mad over. It's not worth getting mad over things like people who wear fake tans or a TV show you don't like. Why waste the energy being negative and complaining about these things, when you can just accept that it's a person's choice as to whether they wear fake tan or watch a certain TV show. It has nothing to do with you, and I'm sure you wouldn't like to be stupidly judged on certain aspects of your lifestyle either.

Secondly, try to become really conscious of when you start complaining about something - even if you don't think you complain a lot. If you find it hard - get people around you to point out to you when you are complaining. Make sure it's people that will actually tell you though! Or, if you are around a negative person a lot, just tell them that they are complaining. It may seem scary, but what's the worst they could do? Complain that you said they were complaining? ;D I find that a lot of negative people don't even realize what they are saying because negativity has become their habit. Once you become more aware of everything you say, it will be easier to change. Note what it is that you are complaining about and ask yourself, "is this worth getting upset about?" You could probably save yourself a lot of energy and time by just taking a deep, deep breath and reminding yourself that it really doesn't matter.

Thirdly, confront the issues that still annoy you. Maybe there is still that girl who just laughs way too loud, way too often and just really annoys you, and no matter how many deep breaths you take, you can't seem to let it go. Do something about it! I mean, you don't have to go up to her and tell her to be quiet, but you could listen to an iPod, do something, or go somewhere else where you couldn't hear her, right? There are many ways to solve the problems at hand, and once the problem is gone, there's nothing to complain about! If it's a bigger issue, such as governmental issues that just make you absolutely irate, (it's equal rights that does it for me) then it's time to get involved! Get out there and do what you can to change it. You can even do a lot by sitting at home on your computer, such as signing online petitions. Every little thing you do will make you feel like you are doing something to help, and this also creates the positive energy you have been looking for, as well as helping to minimize your problem. Hooray!

Surround yourself with things and people that inspire you. Sometimes you may just be feeling bitter because you are bored. Change around your furniture, put some new pictures on the walls! You will feel refreshed and less cluttered. When you can think clearly, it's a lot easier to be positive. Just remember, you don't have to be all happy smiles all the time. You are still allowed to complain if you've had a bad day, and be passionate about issues, just don't let silly little things annoy you. It's easy to be negative, the real achievement in life is being positive.

And this quote sums up exactly what I mean by being "positive":

"I just can't understand what is it with people and negativity. While I am by no means a "positive energy inpirational and motivational speaker", I certainly am not a negative person. It is not a matter of being positive, but just being confident about yourself and believing in you. When I say I am going to do something, I do it, no what if's or but's......just do it. I certainly always see the glass half full and I certainly tend to stay away from negative people, just because of the their negative vibe. Stay around someone negative long enough and it just seems to seep into your brain. Just be confident." - Loose Haylard @ Flickr

xoxo