Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Thought of the Day: No Time for Negativity

They say you're supposed to eliminate all the negative energy/people from your life to make room for all the positive. I don't really know who "they" are, but they're right. 

Do you hang onto things longer because you feel like you can solve the problem? Do you feel that whatever is causing you anguish is somehow within your control and that if you stick it out, you will receive some great prize at the end for toughing it out - like a unicorn or pot of gold?

The thing is that sometimes problems that affect you actually aren't caused by you. This often comes into play in work life, relationship life, friend life - a lot in life. And you feel that since you are indirectly part of the problem, then you should help find a solution. 

Not true, my friend. 

In order to eliminate the negative you have to identify it. You have to be honest about it and not excuse it away. If you do have some responsibility for it, then you have to own that as well so you can change it.

When you discover who or what is the source of your misery or at least the source of you not being as happy as you believe you could be, then take the proper steps to get rid of it. This may be something that takes time like if you are in a job you don't like. Sure it'd be great to stick it to your boss or whomever is driving you nuts, but that thing called a paycheck is still important. It's not worth your sanity, but it is still something to consider.

In other cases, you might just have to solve the problem like ripping off a band-aid. Wait, that doesn't really resonate with me. Ripping off a band-aid doesn't hurt all that much, especially if it is wet. It can just slide right off. You know what hurts? Chapped lips. Really chapped lips and you have skin that you just want to rip off so you can slough them properly and add Vaseline.

So rip off the dead, chapped skin and know that healing is on its way. This method is usually more effective when it comes to friendships or relationships. If you have someone who is causing a negative cloud over your life, then it's not typically something that just appears out of nowhere. You've probably convinced yourself that tough times are bound to happen or that it's your fault somehow because you're not being supportive. Whatever it is, identify it and think to yourself, would I be happier without this person in my life? Be honest. Then, you know what to do.

Anyway, the whole point of my thought of the day is that I finally have become better at eliminating negative energy from life. Not that it's smooth sailing all the time every day, but the things I can control, I do. It feels very liberating and freeing and peaceful.

Try it. Take baby steps. Don't feel like you always have to be the solution or find the solution or have a solution. Walking away, removing yourself form a situation, sometimes it is the best thing to do.

2 comments:

  1. I don't disagree but I think more often then not we don't take responsibility for our own part in the problem. We do it because it's easier to blame others and justify our exit, as opposed to soul searching and fixing ourselves. It's hard to be honest and self reflective when emotion is involved but in relationships especially, there's rarely a time when responsibility is not shared in some way or another. If there's a lot invested, give yourself the opportunity to fix yourself before moving on. You may in fact just be the problem. - .02

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    1. Arvel - I absolutely agree. "It's hard to be honest and self-reflective when emotion is involved" is so spot on. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

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