I’m making better choices now and meeting people who are inspired to make changes.
Most people I see socially are usually positive. But there’s more negativity I can remove from my circle.
Even if the encounter is temporary as in a class or other group setting that’s supposed to get together for just a few weeks. If it’s predominantly negative, I don’t have to spend time with these folks. Yes, I made a commitment for x amount of meetings but I can change my mind.
Yes, it’s flattering to be asked out to lunch or dinner by ex-colleagues, but not if it isn’t fun when we actually spend time together. As I listen to long ago office dramas, frequently peppered with the F-bomb, my stomach is in knots. I’m wishing for a power outage so we have to leave the nice restaurant with the yummy food.
Sometimes it takes on a larger scale. I’m on my condo Board and that’s been an important commitment to me. But maybe it’s time to go. As a homeowner incites a small mob towards inappropriate and vicious tactics (we’re just talkin’ gardens here folks), my usual good energy takes a dive. And then I’m exhausted and wondering why I feel so low.
The over-thinker in me believed the great spiritual growth lesson was to maintain my awesome peace in the midst of conflict.
Sometimes that’s a great plan. But not always. Instead, I can just remove myself from the presence of people who choose that degree of negativity.
Distancing myself from the negative nellies means I get to enjoy my life more.
Everyone has a right to go negative. Usually, when this happens we’re working on ourselves, though it’s usually not known as such. However, my purpose or yours is not to take on someone else’s “stuff”.
I get to choose and create an environment that works best for me, all of the time. Always. No reason and no responsibility is big enough to warrant enduring toxicity. I choose to feel positive, optimistic, inspired and be with others who feel the same way. There’s always a choice in how I manage my time and energy.