Negative People – Uggggh!
 by James Banzer

   Negativity seems to have become ingrained into most people’s attitudes. If you are not one of these people, they are all around you. They don’t take time to smell the roses. These negative nerds only feel the painful prick of the thorns and the subsequent squirts of blood. When the glass is half full with life sustaining water, many of them only notice the empty half. As the clouds open up with rain that will help the grass and plants grow, these folks grunt and grumble about how it keeps them from going outside for romps in the sunshine. The word positive is not in their vocabulary.

   Media has certainly helped to instill negative mindsets. Pick up your morning newspaper. Read the headlines on your favorite news Web site. Check the stories on any of the cable news channels or local television stations. Most of the news that is printed or broadcast is about the bad stuff. The world, or at least America, thrives on negative news. If it bleeds, it leads! Since that is the way so many of us think, publishers and broadcasters have discovered that it is marketable to talk about the bad stuff.

   The most discussed topic for the average Joe or Jane is usually the weather. The most common perspective about that subject is usually bad. When an observation is made about cold weather, the likely reaction is, “I hate cold weather.” Similar observations are voiced by the pin heads of humanity when it’s hot, or when it’s raining or snowing. If the weather is moderate, the observation is likely going to be that it won’t last long.

   The word hate is one of the most overused expressions in the English language. Something goes slightly awry, and we say we hate it. We are inclined to take anything with a tinge of unpleasantness and turn it into the worst thing that has ever happened. Never mind the fact that there is almost always something positive about whatever it might be, all we tend to see is the worst of the worst. We love to hate.

   Too many in today’s society adore those negative politicians. When a political figure wins public office, other attacking political piranhas who aspire for the same position go for the flesh and blood. America seems to love it! 

   It brings to mind the 1980’s hit lyrics in a song by Don Henley. The lyrics are about television news, but they also fit the politicians. “Kick ‘em when they’re up, Kick ‘em when they’re down, Kick ‘em where they sit, Kick ‘em all around.”

   Here’s an exercise that will help turn that negativity around. Try to go for a day without uttering one negative comment. When someone asks how you’re doing, have a positive retort ready. You might say, “I’m doing well, thank you. And how are you today?” When old Mr. Grouch responds with a grumbling comment, you might just say you’re sorry to hear that. Or you could just change the subject. Better yet, find a way to say you’re busy. Move on. Get out of the way because if you don’t, some of Mr. Grouch’s spoils could just rub off on you.

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James Banzer has enjoyed a long career in broadcast news and is now writing on his observations about the world around us. He is currently residing in Louisville, Kentucky. You may send an e-mail to him at  jamesbanzer@yahoo.com .