Negativity is poo poo

by joelbear 16 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Narkissos

  This made me smile at first -- but I realise there is a big cultural difference here.

  It reminded me of a friend of mine, an American professor who was teaching in a theological college here in France. He was quite shocked at first because we French sounded sooo negative to him -- not in politics btw (he was rather critical of US policies himself) but in everyday, or especially academic, issues. IOW when it's bad we don't say it's "great".

  Well, even among French I think I have a somewhat negative tendency. Not necessarily sad though -- I'm quite fond of pessimistic humour (e.g. Murphy's Law).

  What I do find unbearable is mandatory positive thought (remember the WT "spiritual paradise" and the token smiles in assemblies). Repressed negativity can become really harmful. What "positive thinkers" ban from their conscience and speech others have to express, shamefully or pathologically.

  This is not to say that we don't need to correct our thinking sometimes. But I feel the starting point is accepting the negative rather than repressing it. Just a French thought.
• 

  joelbear

  being forced to smile is not positive. i'm not talking about being a pollyanna and ignoring problems

  i am talking about always attempting the change the perspective in your mind to seek a solution and

  always keep thought flowing positively.

  kinda like the little engine that could.
• 

  BrendaCloutier

  change the perspective in your mind to seek a solution

  Bravo!

  Happiness is an inside job. And our attitude is often the only thing we can change at times. It certainly is the first thing we can change when confronted with difficult situations.

  I, on occasion, will find my mind spinning like bicycle peddals that have gotten away from me. That's just how it feels. So I will do my best to focus on regaining control of those pedals. Not easy to do!

  Anxiety at 2:00 am? What can I do about <whatever it's about> now, at 2am? Nothing! Ok. Nothing. Go back to sleep and deal with it mañana. If the anxiety is recurring, I put a pad and pencil by the bed and write down the issue so I don't for get to address it when I get up. Usually, the issue is a non-issue by morning.

  Hugs

  B
• 

  upside/down

  joelbear...no offense...but

  My goal is to eliminate all negative thinking from my mind. I catch myself now and replace it with a positive thought. If there is no positive associated thought, i change the subject my mind is thinking about.

  That is EXACLY what the elders told me whenever I was NEGATIVE about da troof.

  It's a yin-yang kinda thing...

  I hope you don't own a battery factory...(batteries are a bitch without that negative post)

  u/d
• 

  GentlyFeral

  poo poo is negative......

  Not if you own a methane processing plant, or know how to compost. Hey, Joel! You're right! gently feral
• 

  jaffacake

  Joelbear,

  When I was really depressed, my doctor told me all about it being a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes negative thoughts. I have subsequently learned it is more likely to be the other way round. The negative thoughts and outlook, and lack of positive actions, can all help to trigger the chemical imbalance.

  It is so much more complicated than this, but from what I have researched, your approach is very effective. It has worked for me, most of the time.
• 

  joelbear

  right now in the transitional stage from obsessive negativity to balanced positivity i need chemical help, but i hope that once i am able to rewire i may be able to handle my anxiety naturally. i'm not in a rush though. i am just enjoying this high. 15 days without a panic attack or depressive spiral and counting. yahooooooo!!!!!