How do you stay positive when surrounded with negativity?


I have found that you can’t always choose who you have are surrounded with or control what they say.   For example, you can’t choose your co-workers or the family that loves you.  But there are times when people say things with good intention without realizing that they are bringing you down emotionally.  It is a difficult situation to be around and unfortunately, I am faced with this problem frequently.  My solution you ask?  I choose my attitude!  What does that mean?  No one but yourself can choose how you feel; no one can change how you feel.  That is one of the most powerful things that we have control over.  So what do you do?  How do you choose your attitude?  Do what you gotta do, walk away from the conversation, change the conversation, tune them out, take a deep breath, say to yourself, “stay positive” or “choose your attitude”.  Do what works for you. 

You can also try to be honest with the person and tell them that you don’t appreciate where the conversation is taking you and you don’t want to talk about it.  However, I have found that when people are negative, that is just who they are and we can’t change that.  Now, it doesn’t mean that negative people are bad or evil; they just have a different demeanor than the one we strive for, and that’s ok.  

Pollyanna point: Choose your attitude!