It's a fact that if we communicate with negative people it can affect our happiness. How much it affects us will depend on whether we follow where we are being led, or we lead them in a new direction. What things can we do to remain positive in a negative situation?

In the world as it is today, it may be difficult for someone to refrain from being negative. First, let's all give everyone else a little sympathy for having to deal with it all. The elderly may not have anything more to talk about than their health; they may be lonely. Others have so much trouble in their lives, they can't think of anything else. And violins can sound nice once in awhile.

Having said that, acknowledging it when we are speaking to a negative person may help to keep their attitude at the moment from becoming ours for the day. This may be a time when we can't afford to hear every word they utter. We may have to, with one ear at least, zone out and allow our brain to consider what we want to talk about.

When speaking, writing, or in some way communicating with a negative individual, if we are not careful, it will affect our happiness. At least for a short time. Communicating with many during a short span of time can begin to cause us to be negative. This can cause a downward spiral as we, in turn, are negative more often thereby creating an atmosphere of negativity for our positive family, friends and associates. If we are negative around them, they may begin to avoid our company, making us feel even worse about ourselves and our lives.

So when someone begins a conversation with a negative comment, try to find a way to turn it around. For instance, they may begin an organ recital. At a pause in their mini concert, say something positive such as, 'Well thankfully you have doctors who are treating you'. That line may not work if their doctor is part of the problem, so it may be necessary to take another path. But the point is, turn their negativity around. Make them realize there are good things in their life as well as the not so good.

Some people like being negative. It isn't just that they have problems and need to tell someone. If they begin a discourse of their lives and it's all going to bring you down, try to tactfully break in and embark on an upward trek of your own. If this happens often enough, the negative person will either avoid you, or begin to change. It may affect their attitude, thereby helping them feel better, or they will at least realize they have to find something else to talk about around you. Some enjoy being negative so much, they will avoid you altogether.

There is one person in particular that I deal with on a semi-regular basis. This person is someone I care about, but if I'm not careful, I began to think negative thoughts while communicating with them. So, I have made it a practice to say things like, 'At least I'm not living in (name a country) where I don't have enough to eat.' Or some other line depending on what has been said previously. Their conversations with me at one time made me unhappy. The sad state of mind would last for days. Now however, I feel better after speaking with them and they have begun to say more positive things; even steering themselves away from negative thoughts.

These are just a few ideas that may work to keep communication with negative people from having a negative effect on your happiness.

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