Are you a positive or negative person?

Me, I'm kind of both. In general more negative, but I'd like to be more positive.

Today dh bought an overcoat and was telling me about it, instead of being happy for him, I told him he could have gotten a better deal at XYZ. Things like that bug me about my personality.

Wed. Jan 31, 3:10pm

I am exactly the same way!! And I feel the same way about changing..

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 4:21 PM

what strikes me as funny about the op's posting is that she could look at the situation as though she is only trying to be helpful instead of looking at it as though she was not happy for him. i guess sometimes we all see the negative things we do and sometimes we look for /find a negative way to interpret the usual things we do. maybe the viewpoint is skewed in order to bring about a change in oneself?

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 4:30 PM

I'm pretty negative too. The stuff just flies (sp) out of my mouth, I hear it and can't belive I say it but it just keeps coming!

I would also like to change it. Any tips on becoming a more positive person?

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 8:39 PM

I feel like I'm a pretty positive person, try to be tactful and say uplifting things. I don't know if I have any specific thoughts/ideas on how to change though. If you truly want to change, make sure you're happy with yourself. Not just your body but WHO you are--your personality, etc. If you aren't very happy with or kind to yourself, it's hard to be kind to others. Then try to make small changes. When possibel, think about scenarios that might play out and plan ahead how you might be able to positively react based upon a few given circumstances. Consciously tell yourself or think--I'm going to find one thing to compliment my friend about (or the next person you cross paths with). I have a hard time with this. Compliments don't roll off my tongue very easily so I still have to prompt myself consciously. But it could be something as simple as commenting on their clothing or even paying their child a compliment, which in turn would make the person feel good. I'm sure there are many other things. Just "let your light shine" and if you're a Christian, you have the best resource ever (God) to shine through you!

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 9:51 PM

To the OP - I think I tend to be more negative too and not really sure why. I don't like that about myself and I REALLY want to change ....I guess taking small steps one day at a time to try to break the bad habits is the best way to go. We should try to stop ourselves from being negative or saying something negative and TRY to be positive and think of something positive to say instead. Just one day at a time - the same as we do with diet and exercise. Oh.....and I think I know you, we are on a couple teams together! :)

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 10:26 PM

I am a regular Ms. Jekyl and Hyde! Somedays I can be so good, just let it go, accept people for what they are, have the patience of a saint. Other days however..well, I just can't let it go. I am usually trying to be helpful, yes, this is true but I have to accept that part of it must be that I like to be in control, run the show. I am an oldest child, a boss, etc. so sometimes it's hard for me to switch gears and just chill and not be so critical. I try not to be so hard on myself..I am what I am.

but some things that i have observed..people are more likely to say something negative than positive so I like to buck the trend by telling someone that they look nice when they do..or letting someone know when something that they have done has inspired or helped me. I can't believe the reaction sometimes..most people soak up positivity readily. It's truly amazing to see.

So I guess my point, if you think you are being negative, start with balancing the scales by bringing that little spark of appreciation to someone's day. It will make you feel good, make some else feel good, and balance the scales out a little if you feel that you've made a negative comment in some other part of your day.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 10:53 PM

this is an interesting topic to me-because my boyfriend's mother is always saying how i have "happy genes" and am so positive all the time. i don't see myself that way, and like some of you-i hear the crap that comes flying out of my mouth, (or typed in my log on here!) and i'm horrified by how negative i sound.

i think i ultimately see life as good, and expect things to turn out okay-but somehow get caught up in the little details and setbacks!

i've been trying to focus on listening to other's and thinking before i respond (hard, "thinking" first doesn't come naturally to me), and sometimes just keeping my mouth completely shut if i know i have nothing positive to add. it's not an easy thing to change huh? i wonder why so many of us are like this?

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 11:17 PM

I am an amazingly positive person, to the point that I drive people nuts sometimes. However the occasional negative remark does pass my lips every once in a while and it always suprises me (like, why did I say that? I don't even care?). I've noticed that those negative remarks only come out when I'm tired, hungry, or both. As long as I'm pretty much satisfied I'm positve. As a glass half full girl I'm easily satisfied.

Thursday, February 1, 2007, 3:51 PM

I tend to look on the positive side of things-- even to the point of receiving an award from the Optimist Club as a child....

Many a time, I give people the benefit of the doubt when others won't... I really feel that I look for the positive when I get a chance....

I also find that by looking at the positive, I feel better--although there are some times, when i seems like there is no end to negative things around me, I try my hardest not to let it get me down...

Thursday, February 1, 2007, 11:43 PM

I used to be a rather negative cynic until I got into a field which requires a lot of problem-solving. Now that I've been doing that I feel much more empowered to make change and many of those changes have been to myself. As I've changed my diet and gotten healthier and realized i have the power to affect my life for the better, I have become a happier, more positive person. Other people seem to react by being happier and more positive around me. Sure there are times when I I get down and pessimistic, but then I look at what I can change and what I need to accept, and move on. Life in general is just better these days.

Friday, February 2, 2007, 10:51 AM

i really try to see through what appears to be a purely negative experience/situation and find something to be thankful for about it. for instance, when my home was broken into and my room completely ravaged, i realized that whomever had done this was obviously worse-off than i was. and no one was home or hurt during the robbery. my landlady expected me to be furious and demand all kinds of things, but seriously, the damage was done, i had to clean up and move on. we installed new locks and now i feel safer than ever. there is truly always a way to see things with a bit of a positive spin. it just takes a little effort sometimes.

Friday, February 2, 2007, 11:03 AM

thank you for the thread.

Friday, February 2, 2007, 11:37 AM

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