whats easier? Being positive or being negative?

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   lizzieBooposted 12 years ago

   jus wondering.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      negative, I think
      
      for me as well as most others?
      
      It's a battle!

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      AEvansposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Being positive. When you are always positive you tend to get more back lashings by those who are constantly negative. They tend to be more critical and try to always  burst your bubble.

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      ediggityposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I wonder what the Neutron would say?
      
      

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      daniellehorganposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's all a habit. If you are in the habit of thinking negative thoughts, then being negative is easier. If you force yourself to think something positive each time you catch yourself being negative, then eventually you will find it easier to think more positively!

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   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   Oh, come on lizzieboo. You know the answer. Negative, of course. There's little work involved in pointing out problems.
   
   There's a massive amount of work involved in accepting that there are problems and finding solutions.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Right you are Emile. In fact being negative is just too easy.

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   RookerySpoonerposted 12 years ago

   I think it is more natural for the human mind to be negative.  However, this doesn't make it easier, because it is much more pleasant to be positive.  Being negative causes depression, and makes our very short little lives so unhappy.  However, it seems harder to force ourselves to be positive, because we all have our problems, and the news seems to focus on the bad in the world.

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I also think that's true, but, when we force ourselves to be positive about things, it rubs off on other people, make sense? So, when we are surrounded by positive people we feel better. It becomes easier to feel positive. It can become a perpetual thing with a bit of effort.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But being negative is pleasurable at the time. It's only only unpleasant in hindsight, like gossip and getting drunk. An easy habit to get into.

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         Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I don't find being negative pleasurable ( except when I'm indulging in a little self pity, which I must confess happens from time to time ) When we have a negative attitude we stop searching for solutions to problems. But, I do completely accept and agree that it's an easy habit to slip into to.

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            lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I have conversations in which the subjects become more and more negative. I pick holes in types of people, complain about  the weather etc . I see myself slipping towards a chasm of irretrievable statements which will keep me awake with cringing at night and yet I don't have the self-discipline to back-peddle.
            It's all about self control. I'll have to work hard to cultivate it, but what a joy when I've mastered it! I must work to make the positive easier. Here's hoping,

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               Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Off topic I know so apology in advance, but don't you think that sometimes it might be critical thinking as opposed to negative thinking? Make sense?? I try really hard to be positive about things, but sometimes our experiences teach us to be a little skeptical. Who knows, maybe the solutions lie in identifying the problems and coming up with solutions. If that makes any sense at all. For a writer I'm rubbish at conveying what I'm thinking. How's that for negative thinking

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                  lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  No, no I hear you. I think deep down we know what's good for us and not and good for others too.

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         RookerySpoonerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Since when has being drunk been unpleasant, even with hindsight?

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            lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Ha ha. Maybe I need to drink to forget more.

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            Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Oh, come on, there must have been a time where the next day you thought, OMG, what did I do?

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               lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Oh Ho yes.

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   knolyourselfposted 12 years ago

   Depends on what you got.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ha ha. Good one.

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   2uesdayposted 12 years ago

   The question is easier on who? Negative by proxy is not easy to live with.

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      Lord De Crossposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Negative, connected to money is the root of evil.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very true.

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         Melovyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Although in the short term looking for the positive can feel like hard work, that’s really just conditioned thinking - or habit - that we’ve learned by copying adults around us when we were young.
         I don’t think trying to force positive thinking works - at least not in my experience - and the reason is precisely because it feels such an effort that people give up.  I’m actually in the middle of writing a hub on this very subject, which I will probably post tomorrow. For several years I’ve been using two processes that help to turn around negative thoughts and make it easier for positive thoughts to naturally appear.  These methods do take a little work in themselves, but the great thing about them both is that you’re not always policing yourself, watching out for negativity or whatever. You just do the process and what happens happens - and the outcome is definitely an overall more positive outlook on life.

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   billabongbobposted 12 years ago

   Being negative is much easier than being positive. However, staying negative is sure to bring great unhappiness and who really wants that??
   
   It's easy to get stuck in a negative grove and it takes a lot of effort to pull yourself out. You just have to keep remembering WHY you are making the effort and stick with it.
   
   Being negative has an effect on other people too. The impact that this outlook can have is one that most people try to avoid. I don't blame them!!!
   
   Being positive can be hard work, but the rewards are more than worth it. Success is often missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work .
   
   People with a negative attitude, on average, live shorter lives than those who are positive. So think on people...... What's it going to be??
   
   Stay positive, allow a little self indulgent negativity from time to time,but don't let it rule your life.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, yes.

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   knolyourselfposted 12 years ago

   Some say what is most important is your health.
   Worth more than money or fame and the easiest thing to take for granted. After that what does
   it matter? Appreciate.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thats right. Gratitude it the highest form of thought. Agreed.

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   knolyourselfposted 12 years ago

   And You read terrific.

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      lizzieBooposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Cheers!

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   RookerySpoonerposted 12 years ago

   A news item today explores the brain of an optimist.
   
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15214080

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So, it is likely that a pessimist may die younger but, they are at least, more realistic.

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         2uesdayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         and if they could they would say "I told you so."

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            Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            At least once, perhaps twice, but probably umpteen times.

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    Cagsilposted 12 years ago

    It's easier for people to see the bad(negative).
    
    However, as an optimistic person, I always look for an upside inside anything negative.

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       Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Because, more often than not if you adopt the right frame of mind, you will find something to be positive about. Just takes that bit of effort, but well worth it.

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          Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Hey Hollie, there's always something to be learned either positive event or negative event....learning is never bad.

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    Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

    Depends on your personality. You are by nature either a "Glass half full" or "Glass half empty" sort of person. I've always been the latter and negativity comes naturally to me.
    
    Not quite sure where the money and root of all evil comes in to play with regard to this particular subject but I am a contradiction in that respect. I know it is - but I also know that money is the most important thing in the world... I have been there, in the situation and circumstances where you have literally nothing and believe me, you never forget that experience...

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       Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I've been there too Gordon, what a frightening experience. By nature I'm a glass half full person. I have to admit this had led to many disappointing and heart breaking events in my life, however, as Cagsil so eloquently puts it, they're all learning experiences. We live and learn.

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          Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          So true, Hollie - that is definitely the right attitude. Thanks! I'll try to take a leaf out of your book...

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    RookerySpoonerposted 12 years ago

    I was surprised that the bbc news item suggests that 80% of people are natural optimists.  I am one of the 20%, and am a glass totally empty kind of a person.  I believe my own pesimistic view of life may have something to do with the fact that I do not believe in God.  As most people do believe in God, this may explain their optimism.

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       Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I don't believe in God, I do believe in a greater good (probably makes no sense at all and I wouldn't expect it to) I actually do not believe our inclination towards  negative or positive thoughts, has anything to do with our belief in a higher, greater good, but more about social integration and acceptance. How we feel we are perceived by others, a mirror if you like.

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    Theguardian17posted 12 years ago

    Or you can be the glass is always full type person cause it's half full of whatever liquid is in it and half full of air..technically speaking

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    kerlynbposted 12 years ago

    Unfortunately, it was so quick for me to be negative.  Perhaps something about my childhood and my family helped me become that way.
    
    Good thing, I had been exposed to all these wonderful authors and self-help experts and even hubbers who give excellent tips on how to become positive.
    
    Now, it's easy for me to flip to positive in 5 minutes! Yes, that's 5 minutes!

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    psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

    Psychologically what is tiring is the world differing from you expectations (an expectation gap).  Thus, if your life is crap it is less tiring to be negative.  But then there is that self-fulfilling prophecy thing....

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       Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, I can see that (expectation gap) in relationships, career, life in general. But, don't you think that as we age we become more realistic in our expectations (because of experiences?) So, our thoughts are not always necessarily negative but realistic? Maybe we need to learn to separate the two? Which thoughts are negative, which are realistic?

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    psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

    It seems that the optimal state for mood is slightly over positive (slight tendency to expect better than you get).  People on the realistic to pessimistic range are more likely to experience more depressed mood.
    
    I think it is a trade off between how much time you spend happily expecting good thing, and how often you are disappointed....

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       Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, I can see that too. But in some respects I also think this is realism as opposed to negativity or positivity.  For example, the only thing that is certain, is that if you don't try you definitely don't get. Whereas, if you try there's a chance, but no guarantees.

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    thelyricwriterposted 12 years ago

    i agree

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