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“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”
~Eckhart Tolle
Thoughts rumbled through my head when I saw the BFF prompt "Negativity." The word itself could be used as a counter to positivity, or it could be an electrical charge, but the first thing that came to my mind was the feeling. An emotional grind that starts in the reactionary mode of frustration unkempt. I avoid letting myself traverse those halls, it's not a fun place for me to be, but more than that, it is dangerous.
When something has brought me to a place where I feel negativity inside, it is likely to spill to the outside, which doesn't look good on me, and doesn't feel good to those around me. Most days are easy enough for me to remain (or readjust) in a positive frame of mine. It's become second nature for me to look for the bright side of situations, circumstances, and comments. But I am still an Irish, red-headed, Scorpio woman, and if negativity makes its way to the center of my being, all bets are off, and if you goad me on, well that's your own damned fault for being so obnoxious in the first place.
The perfectly pleasant person most people know, might become (looks up at the picture of the cat I posted and grinZ) well yes, catlike. The kind of cat that won't let you within 2 feet of her without reminding you that she has teeth and claws (or in my case a wonderful vocabulary capable of shredding the toughest of skin).
I prefer to purrrrrrrrrrrrr. ;-) in comfortable optimism, no matter how unreasonable it might appear to someone else. I WILL find the positive side of even the most negative situation... it's my way of maintaining balance, recognizing contrast, and being the best I can be.
Heh, but there are days ;-)
Irish, red-headed, Scorpio woman. Truly the scariest words I have ever read, even Stephen King couldn't conjure that one. One mistake WOMAN should have been in caps, hahahah. Being an Irish, Scorpio, fireman, I know the temptation well, old habits cling to our souls as surely as tar sticks to the road.
ReplyDeletehahahahaha... this comes from a fellow Scorp? Nice analogy Tim, and you are right, some do cling to our souls, others scrape the sides, to remind us they are still there;-)
DeleteI can certainly relate. Before I retired, I had to keep myself in check on the job because I worked with the sick and injured employees, processing requests for leave, coordination workers compensation benefits and making all payroll payments for as long as they were in my care. Many are in a negative place already and I was the usual punching bag.
ReplyDeleteTo keep myself in check, I had post-it notes tacked all over the face of a manila folder that I kept propped up in an organizer right in front of my face. The post-it notes contained short inspirational comments and scripture for strength. Also, taped to my phone was a note that said "Be a blessing, not a curse". That reminder kept me in check while I attempted to help, not hurt, each caller.
Even now, retired, I have an occasional battle with negativity both in my home and online. This is election year...I may slip and fall a few times before the election. I'm not perfect....
Darlene, I call positions like the one you held the front lines. It is as much a battlefield as any, the only difference is it is psychological warfare that is being unleashed.
DeletePost-it notes would be a fun way to tackle that type of situation. I used to have a sign on my door that said "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." ;-) You were far better than I at it. Though I think I have a library of sticky-note phrases in my head now.
Strive for progress, not perfection... it's so much easier to reach the goal on a regular basis.
I'm Irish Woman (not a red-head, not a scorpio) and I do have to really keep my "Irish temper" in the bag. It runs all the way up the genealogy line--but the inherited temper has seemingly mellowed out with each generation. (Thank God). (I have a Great-Great-Great Grandma, who had an Irish temper, and she got so ticked she set her house on fire. When the village came to try to help put it out she told them to stand back and let that house burn!! I wouldn't have believed that tale--but she made the newspapers in Canada when it happened!!)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it takes a lot of energy to keep that temper right where it belongs--in the bag and it can be exhausting. I also have noticed when I was younger it was hard to keep that temper tamed--and only time and wisdom have taught me how to manage it. So, yes I can totally relate to the Irish temper thing!!
Great post!! Cheers, Jenn.
Oh my heck Jenn, was your great-great-great-Grandma a Scorpio perhaps? ;-) I've never gone that far, but I can see how someone might upon occasion.
DeleteIt does take energy to bag the temper sometimes. Actually, I've gotten pretty good at dealing with it as it comes, but that makes it more dangerous if I get to that point at all. Balance, yes?
I love that picture. I had a day when I felt like that this week. Nice to meet you from the A to Z list but it was really hard to find the place to follow you.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to follow me? Tell me what might make that easier!
DeleteNice to meet you too Susan, I am sure looking forward to the A-Z challenge!
Oh, yes, there are days..... but like you, k, i prefer the optimism of life... so much easier to maneuver through life with a positive attitude... good write, girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteThank you d~ Sometimes writing just makes all things much easier. I do enjoy the positive side of life, anger takes so much more energy! ;-)
DeleteYou seem like a fairly positive person to me.
ReplyDeleteJoyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/
I am most of the time Joyce :-) Thank you.
DeleteI do think ( and do believe) is we think positive and send out positive we are better for it, but there are days when I am certain a cloud is overhead. I'm human, and therefore flawed and I've been know to fester now and again. I do all me this time because it's part of the cycle. I am not versed in pop spirituality, as I've only read the back of the books on the topic, but I sense to have balance or is maintain harmony, we need up and down, good and bad, positive and negative.. I think the trick to take each as it comes but not to dwell or expect either will linger.
ReplyDeleteContrast... I agree with you Brenda, it takes one to appreciate the other, and both to balance.
DeleteI think they call what you do living in the moment ;-) Brava!
Thank you for being a part of the pulse of my corner of the world here!
;-)
ReplyDelete