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Staying positive when you are surrounded by negativity!

What does positive mean to you? It is just being happy? (what a broad term). Or, is it keeping a mindset of good and grateful thoughts when everything around you is heading down the toilet?

For me it is a matter of perspective. What is positive and negative anyway? It means different things to different people. What I consider terrible or a tragedy, you may see as mildly irritating and what I wouldn't bat an eyelid about, may cause another to wail and hide under the bed!

I like the Buddhist saying - "love what you have" (appreciating what you already have in your life)as a way to stay positive. I also try to take time every other day to be thankful/grateful for all the "wealth" I have in my life (and no, I am not referring to my bank balance).

While in shower, or getting ready for work, (don't try it driving or operating machinery, as it says on the medication box. I try to remember to be thankful for my family, my passion for writing, my partner (he attributes a large amount to my positive outlook), my home (which has kept me sane during some hairy times in the past) and for anything else I am thankful for at that particular time (no rain on the day of a picnic, or no interrupting phone calls during a work project etc).

What has been helpful for me is, taking action. By selecting a project and immersing myself has helped me in the past, when being positive was the furthest thing from the way I felt. The outcome was that I not only put aside my negative thoughts and fears about the problem at hand, as way of a bonus I ended up with a newly painted house and clean and clutter free closets. (No, sadly they don't always look as good as back then!)

I truly believe that to remain positive at a time when the world seems to be anything but, is something we need to plan for and continually work towards. If you create a plan B scenario for the obstacles you "may" encounter, you will be prepared and therefore less disappointed or devastated if things don't go exactly how you would wish them. I am continually amazed at how people in the media sprout about being "devastated" by something and then idly state that "no they didn't have insurance in case there was a fire" after it destroyed all their belongings, or people who are devastated when retrenched from their jobs after not value-adding to themselves (in the form of training or development) for years? Or, in the case of people who are disenchanted with their career

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