Sending Good Cheer

I recently had a friend tell me he was leaving Facebook because he could not stand all the negative and hateful things that people post there.  I have known several other friends who have stopped watching the news or reading newspapers because they get so depressed with the constant flow of negative information.  I understand this very well.  There are days when I feel like every person who posted that day in social media was mad, depressed or just overwhelmed with negative events in their lives.  I have also got up from a quick review of the news of the day feeling as if the best thing was just to go back to bed.

                Negativity is an infectious disease that spreads faster than any other on earth does.  Where I do believe we need to treat it as a sickness and avoid contact, I do think there is a better way to combat this without abandoning hope altogether.

"Send out a cheerful, positive greeting, and most of the time you will get back a cheerful, positive greeting. It's also true that if you send out a negative greeting, you will, in most cases, get back a negative greeting."

- Zig Ziglar

(1926-2012)

Author/Speaker

                The first thing to understand is that everyone else is fighting the same fight.  Many who are negative and down are there because they just see the negative around them.  Negativity causes us to lose hope and to be caught in its web.  However, what works for the negative can also work for the positive.  If we are exposed to more and more that is positive and encouraging, we feel better and we have a better outlook on life.  Perhaps the time has come to fight fire with fire.

                I am seeing a trend among people to see the wrongs in this world and rather than fight, they just quit and walk away.  What you have to see is that the world needs you.  It is crying out for some good news and some hope for a better tomorrow.  I am not talking of some made up, pie-in-the-sky, “Oh, everything is lovely” type of thinking.  Positive people are positive because they know there is hope and that tomorrow can be better if you choose to make it so.  It is not a wish it is a reality.

                Here is my suggestion, rather than leave social media or a group or organization you are a part of, make yourself the positive influence.  If we can allow people to be negative, then we can claim our ground and take over.  Flood social media with positive and helpful news, information, and posts.  Encourage everyone you know to be the best they can be, to love God, have good manners, discover the unknown and change the world.

                Will this be easy?  Not at all.  It will be the hardest task you have faced in a long time.  Just remember that there are far more positive people around than negative.  I know it does not always seem like that, but it is that negative people and very vocal and active about their negativity; positive people, on the other hand, tend to be quieter.  The time we started creating some noise!

                If you need a break from the news, go on a news fast for a week or so.  If you have people on social who are always negative and hurtful, defriend them, but keep those who need to hear your words of encouragement.  Keep in mind every time you post something, talk to people or send an email that what you say matters.  Be the one people look forward to seeing and hearing from in their lives.  We can make a difference when we take back what the negative has stolen.

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey.  To get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.    

© 2019 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.