Saturday, May 12, 2012

Yesterday, I blogged about how some folks seem perpetually negative while still others feel it’s their right to rain down, as a torrential storm, that negativity on others.  In my opinion, neither is acceptable. 

First, if a person is perpetually negative, then I believe they have a responsibility to discover the reason behind such and then do what’s necessary to rectify the problem.  Second, no one has the right to rain down his or her negativity on others.  To do so shows lack of self-control, good judgment and empathy for the plight others may be enduring.

So what about those who are eternally happy?  Individuals surrounded by such positive energy that it would appear nothing’s wrong in their inner world.  It may well be, but the individual doesn’t let on. 

I enjoy being in the midst of those who have such positive energy.  There are times, however, when I wonder if they burden themselves by presenting to the world that all’s okay when it might not be.  Not that it’s appropriate to dump woes on each and every person one encounters.  It’not.  But neither is it healthy to pretend like nothing’s wrong when one is hurting.  In fact, it might cross the line from being unhealthy to downright dishonest—with one’s self as well as others.

Hmmm…so where do we go with this?  If it’s not okay to be perpetually negative, sprinkling fatalistic energy on others, and it’s equally unacceptable to pretend like everything’s okay when it’s not, then where does that leave us?  How are we to behave?  Do we continue with the everything’s-okay charade or take out our frustrations on others?  Neither.

Instead, each person has the responsibility to learn how to compartmentalize, when necessary, those things that drag them down.  Then, when it’s a more appropriate time and with those they can trust, it’s fine to let down one’s guard, allow frustrations to be heard and vent emotions.  By handling one’s self in this manner, the likelihood is that others will be more supportive, empathetic and able to help instead of jumping to a defensive posturing that makes them unreceptive and downright hostile.

In short, folks shouldn’t walk around with dark clouds of doom looming over their heads.  If they do find themselves in this position, then they owe it to others and themselves to attempt to correct the problem.  Likewise, a person has the responsibility to make their voice heard, meaning that if something’s bothering them, they need to voice such—when appropriate and to the right people—in order that frustrations won’t fester and metastasize into something so out of proportion there’s scarcely a way to move forward.