Y&R Discussion Group -- Negativity can be a good thing? What do you think?

Y&R Discussion Group

Topic: Negativity can be a good thing? What do you think?

Topic Posted by: serialmom
Date Posted: Mon Nov 2 8:37:47 2009
Additional Comments:

This is good new for me. I'm a Debbie Downer type. I just said the other day ''Precaution'' should be my middle name LOL What type are you? negative positive or in-between?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091102/lf_nm_life/us_mood_memory

Posted by: faysie
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 12:03:55 2009
Message:
I'm more of a positive person. I do find that when I'm in a positive, happy mood, I seem to meet more happy people and circumstances, etc. And when I'm feeling grouchy, negative, or just unenthusiastic in general about whatever, I seem to attract more of the same. So I prefer to pass on a good humour and happiness, not the opposite. I have had situations where I got a sense of caution about something, but I attribute that to intuition.

Posted by: farmer brown
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 20:18:15 2009
Message:
I tend to look at things straightfowardly, without a lot of pretext, pretending or false hope. But I think I do it with enough of a sense of humor that it doesn't come off as too negative too often.

Although I was just railing about something at work and said within earshot of everyone still here that while I'm generally tolerant of varying opinions on subjects, this new thing we have to do at work is insanely stupid and anyone who thinks it's a good idea is a dumb-ace. (I was preaching to the choir, so I can get away with it).

I wouldn't call that too positive. (I'm still right, though).

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My mom would call you practical. //S'mom

Posted by: DebS
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 18:42:23 2009
Message:

Overall, I'm a glass-half-full type of person, however, lately, I have been having some challenges in my life that has been testing that - A LOT. So I find myself continually trying to banish my own negative thoughts and turn them into positive. I do believe that thinking negatively can bring about negative situations - and vice-versa w/ the positive thoughts - so I'm trying - TRYING to stay positive!

I'll get through this. Trust me, I've been through much worse. And staying positive is what helped me through it. So I must do that again.

Posted by: rushlan
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 18:08:55 2009
Message:
I am more of a positive person. No matter what awful things might be going on in my life I remember all the good things going on at the same time. I know I have moments of negativity, what I will call situational, but overall I keep a positive outlook.

Posted by: Cache
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 16:51:46 2009
Message:
Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying ''People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.'' For a person with so much strife, sorrow and conflict going on his life, I find that to be remarkable. I am very much a ''Happy'' person. Hubby, on the other hand, just loves to complain. He can find something bad in every situation. Just yesterday we sat side by side in church listening to the sermon. I came out invigorated, he came out feeling that the minister was saying that he doesn't do enough for his fellow man.

Posted by: SusieB
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 16:17:39 2009
Message:

I have always maintained that I am a realist...not negative.

However, I have been trying in recent years to be more postive thinking and optimistic. Its not always easy and it certainly doesn't come naturally to me, but I am making a concerted effort .

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Me too SusieB. I consider myself a realist as well. eom/Vancouverite

Posted by: Mitch
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 10:09:59 2009
Message:

I always thought it odd that depression is automatically considered pathological. Pop a pill and the problem is solved.

Some people have crappy lives and every right to be depressed.

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Bravo! Yipee! Mitch, you said it!! This is soooo true!..........Kate

You are talking to a major anti pill person. I'd rather be too alert than live a Pollyanna existence.

Posted by: Peridot
Date posted: Mon Nov 2 8:58:58 2009
Message:

I think a lot of that is driven by temperament. For instance, my husband is one of those melancholy types. He's very detail oriented, more apt to be a perfectionist and workaholic. These characteristics sometimes cause him to view situations with a more negative slant, but they are also enormously beneficial in his job. On the other hand, I tend to be more sanguine so we balance each other out well.

I also think so-called "negative" tendencies can lead to positive action. Getting angry about a situation might prod me to take decisive action to correct it. Being bored might prod me into a creative endeavor. IMO seeing the glass half-empty or half-full isn't necessarily the important thing, it's what you do about it.

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Absolutely! I am going to resist telling the stories but my thoughts have protected me a couple times in life. Call it negativity or whatever . It works for me.