In random tweets rolling across my phone this morning came this quote “Distance yourself from negativity and great things will happen.” Those words immediately captured me and my impulse was copy and share that idea repeatedly. After all, it’s a great, wise thought.
photo credit: Gabriel Pangilinan, unsplash.com
And, it’s true.
Yet, as I thought over it, I started to question why it resounded so strongly with me. Was I in quest of great things? Or did I just covet the distance from negative people, negative talk, and negative reaction?
Granted, there’s nothing bad about wanting either. But I think I would seek the distance above the greatness. Negativity makes me tired. It makes me tired when I roll in it. It makes me tired when you do. I totally understand that negativity is sometimes necessary as part of our decision-making process.
The irony of this line of reasoning is that much of the negativity I see in others is a direct byproduct of my own negative ways. When we hear a criticism — particularly if it rings true with our own experience — we jump on the bandwagon. Negativity begets negativity.
So, when I go back to look at the quote, I feel pulled to like it on the greatness side.
If you and I do great things, negativity doesn’t disappear. But it loses its power.
Be powerful today. Help someone else. Give a compliment. Step to the side and give others the time they need. Be joyful in the work you’ve been given to do. Rejoice in recreation. Smile. Laugh. Cry. Do it on your own and with others.
Experience greatness.
Encouraging others takes so little effort & can do so much good. Unfortunately, our human nature too often seems to pick negativity & criticism first. I would love to see us live out your last paragraph on a daily basis. It would not fix all of the problems but it sure would make a difference in the circles we move in.
Ken, our best hope is to surround ourselves with others committed to this lifestyle. I’m fortunate to have a good many folks in this category. Now just need to hold up my end.