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 choice, work, partner, marriage, health or the way they look, when they have not done any research into options, alternatives, counseling, or sat down and thought about their true goals....what where they expecting? Random happiness (it makes you wonder?).
If you aren't satisfied at work, or you are around others who loathe their jobs, their clients or products, partners, children's behavior or "rotten lives", you may not be able to just quit your job and move on tomorrow. You can, however make a start! Begin by working out what makes you feel like you would love working at it, even if you weren't paid for it (that is your real passion)and that will help to keep you positive, no matter what occurs on the peripheral of you life. Do some research around work environments - the more positive the people and passionate they are about the product or service they provide, the more positive they tend to be. Don't mistake positivity for militancy - it is not the same! (If the workplace you are in is fighting all the time with outside departments, individuals or causes, who would be surprised if you felt less than positive about the world).
If your friends and acquaintances moan and whine to you about their lot, take time to review the pleasure and value you get from their friendship....if they don't cut it, (do like the country song says) release them....let them go! When you are feeling great about yourself and positive about life other positive people will gravitate to you and you will have all the friends you can handle. In order to stay positive in the world in which we live, you need to review what you see as positive and negative. What is your perception? After all, as the saying goes...it is your reality!
Yes, our world is not perfect and life is difficult at times - but it is better than the alternative!