You WIN by ignoring the negativity!

I keep this on my desk. I look at it every day before heading out the door. Then I get into the world and wonder why is this so hard for humans to do … why can’t we all just be happy?

The turmoil is constant. You overhear a conversation at the store. Hop on social media. Turn on the television. It never ends. Think about the last time you went an entire day and didn’t cross paths with men and women so easily offended. Hateful toward others. Angry at society. People looking to pick a fight. Searching for reason to stir the pot. And spread the drama. 

I can’t recall one day that I didn’t inhale and exhale, feeling momentarily exhausted by seeing the tension all around us.  Here’s the thing. I get it. Someone has something you don’t. Someone has an easier path or a more exciting life. Someone has more money, a sexier body, or a better job. It all creates jealousy and enters you into a game of comparison.

But I have a secret.  I learned it when I was a little girl, growing up in a hospital bed.  As I exhale, I blow all that negative out with it. It leaves me, just like the carbon dioxide exiting my lungs. I refuse to let it seep into my brain. Take over my heart. Or pollute my spirit. I remember watching other children die in that hospital with me. When you witness death at such a young age, you learn very fast that life is not fair. It’s a horrible lesson. But at the same time, it’s also one of the most life altering lessons.

We have the power to let thoughts into our mind, just as we have to power to block them out.  I make the choice not to compare my life to others because in my gut, I know that only breeds discontentment. Shutting out the negativity is a discipline. And it truly is a choice. You too can make that choice. I am no different than you. That is how I know you can do it.

You can choose not to get offended. You can choose not to comment on a ridiculous post.  You can choose not to stoop low, just because someone else is stooping low. You can choose to judge your today against your yesterday, instead of judging yourself against your friend.  You can inhale, exhale, and blow it out. 

Humans spend so much energy being mad. But why?  Our time on this planet is limited.  Even tomorrow is not guaranteed.  God brought us into this beautiful world.  And we know eventually He will be back to get us. Isn’t it time we started acting like we have an expiration date? 

The thing is, we know better. We know we should be kind and treat others with respect.  We know we should share and help each other out.  We know we should love thy neighbors and love one another.  And if we are truthful with ourselves, we know deep down it’s easier to be kind.  We inherently feel better if we act better.

So maybe today is the day you decide.  Maybe today is the day you stop ingesting and spreading the anger.  Maybe today is the day you refuse to swallow the tension whole.  Instead you inhale, exhale, and blow it out.  You take the power back by ignoring the drama.  You win.

Remember, we all have a choice each day when we wake up. It’s really simple.  Be good. Do good.  Be happy.  Make those your 3 choices as you walk out the door. Before you get on social media. Before you turn on the television. Before you open your mouth. Whatever one you choose, you are on the path you should be!