I would have to say no. I used to battle depression and all that. I used to have friends who thought some of the other 'happy' girls were fake. But I don't believe any of that crap anymore. I believe every person has the capability of being happy. This so called 'happy girl' probably has worked hard to be where she is, going through her own trials and tribulations. Why do people so cold sometimes? Why does it seem there are too many jaded and untrusting people these days? I've been there myself but now I see it more clearly. I'd rather be a positive force than one of negativity.

I wish things could go back to how they were before we had to lock our doors.
I wish we could all give each other the benefit of the doubt before judging.
I wish everyone could make a bit more effort to be friendly and open.
I wish there were not so many superficial or number out people.
So sad, at times, this world can seem.
I try not to let the weight of it bury me.
Every day is a new day,
every day is a gift.
Just live your life and do as you please, and treat everyone as you would want to be treated. Do think too much on things,
don't be so defensive. And maybe finally we'll all be able to find peace and harmony and happiness on this earth.

Wow,
I guess I had a moment there.
What do all you think?

~L.L.

Hello, LabLover23. Congratulations on finding peace and harmony in your life.

[sabby]

One of the things I've learned to do over the years is to take each person individually and try hard not to group all negative people together. There is good reason for this.....

On any given day, you may find that the cashier at your local grocery store is extremely rude and seems upset or angry. As a customer, I have no idea why this cashier is acting this way around me or towards me. So I consider that it's possible she found out she lost a loved one before coming to work.....she may have an electric/phone/heating bill that is due and babyfood to buy and has to decide between the two...how stressful is that?? She may have found out she flunked out of college because she doesn't have the proper amount of time to study as she is working full time, caring for her kids, caring for an elderly family member, customers treat her badly etc etc etc. Does this mean that she is an all around angry or negative person? Heck no, it means she could be having a really bad day. So my choice is to smile and be polite, thank her and tell her I hope her day gets better.

Emotions tend to get the best of a lot of people. There tends to be a lot of negative things going on in our lives, hence the negative emotions. I've come to learn that out of many negative situations, we can find positives from them and apply them and turn our negatives into a positive. It's not easy....but can be done.

I don't like grouping everyone together though.......we don't live others' lives and can't be aware of what they are going through at any given time.

Well, I know everyone has their bad days, I guess I just was venting some pent up frustrations. Thanks for responding.

[Shangrala]

You know....
Despite what negative might be going on with me privately, when out in the public I somehow manage to, (and without even realizing it), greet all with a smile and a cheerful tone.
My daughter, who's always in my company, (of course aware of my private troubles at home), and while out, asks me, "Mom, you're so friendly. How can you be so happy when things are bothering you like they do at home?"

Hmmmmm. I've never even thought about it, or even realized a difference. It's not that I behave negative or angry at home. Sure, I become depressed over some things, and that shows greatly on some days. But I suppose I see no point in allowing the negative to conduct my behavior. It has at times gotten the better of me, but it's left me feeling well out of place.....against my nature TO feel negative.

I like the happy. I like to see a smile in passing, and if I don't see one, I certainly always offer one, regardless. It makes ME feel good. Lighter, somehow. Almost seems to disburse what negative vibes I was feeling earlier into its own abyss of nothingness....lol.
Hard to explain....but I must admit that it does make me feel quite good knowing that my daughter notices my "positive" behavior despite what is truly troubling me, although she is aware that I struggle with it (the negative). I make a point to discuss it with her, so she understands the two. She has chosen to focus on what positive I project..and that alone is an indication of the power of the positive....thank goodness.
The energy of the positive surely outweighs that of the negative. Our energy level increases when we do feel positive, less effort in facial muscles to maintain a smile...lol...and it's contagious.

It's alright to feel them both, (without the one, there isn't the other), so long as we are aware of the difference?

Sabby said it well. So long as we have an understanding of the two regarding our own selves, it assists us in understanding where other's might be coming from, as well. A chain reaction, so to speak.

We ARE a magnet. We attract how we feel.

Shangrala

[Yoda]

Complex question. Interesting.

Way beyond my capability to compose a coherent response at this time. Sleep impaired, over loaded, you know the story.

But I knew if I didn't post something now I would lose this thread so let me just post something for you to think about until Yoda finds her focus?

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Elementary, Watson! Existential cat couldn't open cat food without you.