Staying Positive

It's on intermittent!

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. Something that seems to be helping me is letting my very negative mate (and sometimes my youngest son) know that their negativity is really tiresome. It helps me to express that to them after one of their pessimistic rants. It doesn't change their behavior in the least but at least I haven't absorbed their negativity but rather verbally objected to it.

Do you guys think that's a good thing or not? It feels good to me......

Maybe not.

I think it's a good thing so long as it doesn't make their negativity worse ((((((((((((( ozzie )))))))))))))

I think whatever makes you feel better, helps you, is a good idea. I would use stronger words than "tiresome" on them though :-) I think you might be able to make an impact with telling them, might not be always obvious but perhaps if you "count" number of times, it might become a bit less. I know my husband listens to criticisms I have and cogitates :-) on it a day or two and then will act on it sometimes.

Good point Fuzzy. Sometimes it just makes them mad and mean.

Yes, my husband thinks about things for a while too. Nothing ever changes much though. Thanks for your reply.

Yes

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Does anyone else have to deal with a negative influence trying to bring you down on a daily basis?

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Yes, I do. I have to deal with myself! I always try to get away from myself but it never works. I always end up there with me!

If I had a choice to get away from someone else that was bringing me down, I would do it, especially if I have tried everything I could to help that other person. After so long, though, it just isn't worth it. Sometimes, leaving wakes them up to the reality of what they are doing. Sticking around can sometimes re-enforce negative behaviours.

Even if I was bringing the other person down to a point where I could see that it was sucking all the joy out of their life, I would leave (and I have).

What right do I have to ruin another's life because I can't find happiness within myself? I DON'T!