Face it, negativity surrounds us whether we want it to or not. It’s part of life.

Years ago, I took great measures to cut out as much negativity from my life as I could – which basically means I don’t do drama, I avoid it all costs and rather than seeing that proverbial glass as half empty, I will always find it half full, even when there is only a sip remaining.  Obviously – negativity still surrounds me, there is no way to completely avoid negative things from happening.

In fact, the past couple of weeks have been challenging. While filled with some super positive things,  it feels as if for every single positive thing that comes my way, at least 5 negatives drop in to say hi around the same time.

They say bad things come in three’s. I don’t agree. I used to, but not anymore.

With all of the negative things that have happened, I have had to spend a great deal of time focused on thinking positive. Finding good things even in those bad things. Thinking good thoughts can do a lot to change your attitude.

The problem is really in that people don’t really know how to see the positive. I wake up every morning and remind myself I’m alive. That might seem silly to some of you, but it IS a positive. And each time I tell myself something positive, I feel better.

I also try to surround myself with positive people. If you’re negative most of the time, chances are I won’t spend much time with you. That’s not to say that I don’t recognize that everyone has a bad day now and then, and I would never turn my back on someone in need. Ever. I’m not talking about those people or those situations. I’m talking about the ones that just tend to be very bitter and everything seems like a catastrophe.

It’s time to stop thinking that way. It brings to mind the overused metaphor “find the silver lining”. But really, do it. It just feels better looking for the good things in life. So maybe you spilled coffee on yourself this morning, and you didn’t have time to change and so now you feel like your day is ruined, but it isn’t. There are so many other things in your world that are beautiful and wonderful.

Do you  have children? That’s a beautiful, precious gift. Even when they are acting nutty, crazy, crabby or any other fun adjective you’d like to use.

Do you have enough to eat? With our economy the way it is, that is a blessing. Don’t look past what it is.

Do you have a roof over your head?  Again, there are many who do not. It is another gift, don’t forget to remember it.

The point is just, that for every negative thing that comes your way, if you look hard enough, there is a positive that is lurking. You just have to learn how to look through new eyes and find the happy, beautiful, perfect moments and cherish them – your new way of thinking will bring on a happier, brighter attitude.