How To Stay Positive In A Negative Environment
You might say that it's not a good idea to hang around negative people and I would say the same. But sometimes these people are close family and we might not want to stay away.
For example parents: They might be getting old, in pain, scared and in a situation where they have to let go of control. Can YOU see how hard this is? I sure can and if someone does not have training in spiritual principles, or personal development it's hard to deal with these facts and the default might be: NEGATIVITY.
My choice was to move back to Germany to be closer to my parents. After living in California for 34 years, this was a hard decision, but somehow my feeling told me: Marita it's time to go back and be there for them. One problem is that there is a lot of negativity in my parents environment and I will need a strong practice and support system in order to not get sucked in.
Watching the news several times a day, complaining about the state of the world, the greed, the problems, the cheeting. Getting together with others, all this gets discussed and it's a vicious cycle of a hostile world, injustice, powerlessness and sickness. Wow it's no fun, I don't even want to know.
A toxic environment, but I make it my practice to be present and to stay positive, I want to be a "breath of fresh air". Detachment with love is the practice and I watch everything around me like a movie. The practice is to not react and to be loving and patient. Thank god I have a good meditation practice and support system of friends who will keep me on track.
I am so amazed and grateful about my progress. All the work with 12 step groups, spiritual programs, personal development and coaching have made such a difference in my life. It empowers and supports me through difficult times. The important lesson for me is to know that not everybody around me has the awareness to be on this path of forgiveness, acceptance and letting go and I have to accept this.
Living in a space of mystery and not knowing what tomorrow will bring is also challenging, to say the least. Living life outside of the comfortzone, having faith that everything is the way it's supposed to be and just flowing with whatever happens. That's the space where miracles happen.
My " Simple Miracle"
The beginning of December I applied for an apartment in Germany, I was hoping to be able to move in January 1, but I will not be able to move in until February 1. The thought of staying with my parents for another month was hard for me and for them. Now the miracle was, that I applied for US citizenship and the only thing left to do was my "Swearing in Ceremony, which I did not have a date for at the time. One day later my friend checked my mail and I got the date for the ceremony, January 8th. I booked a flight and decided to stay in California until the end of January. So, it worked out perfectly!
These miracles strenghen my trust in the universe and the more I notice them, the more I can let go of trying to control everything. What a relief that is.
What's your recent miracle?
Great advice though like you said not easy to stay positive when surrounded by negativity.
Great advise!
Great post! I too moved because of my parents – actually, because my dad passed away and mom began to rely on me (eldest daughter) to be there for her. so we moved from a coastal lotus land to winter, snow, wind, and sometimes I regret when on those days momma is in pain, negative and complaining! go figure!! great job! P
Great post. One of the hardest things to do is stay positive admist so much negativity. Kudos to you for mental toughness and perserverance. Thanks for sharing!
Having come from a hostile work environment, I get this. I had a former boss that told me one time, that you can’t change some people, so you adapt to learn to live with them It helped and I remember that to this day.
My day job environment is pretty negative. I have learned to seek out (and am quite thankful for) the positive people and distance myself from those who would bring me down. I also am thinking of moving to where my parents are as they are older. Funny how life throws things at you and yet we are resilient. We find a positive way to make things work. Thanks for sharing!
I give you so much credit for making the move that you did and the strength to stay positive through so much negativity. Congrats and stay strong!
I totally agree with you. It's always nice to be reminded of the miracles around us. One miracle for me is that i'm close to completing the contributors for my anthology book! Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow, tough situation Marita and you are so right… life is hard and the best way to deal with it ourselves it to surround ourselves with strong, like minded, positive people that will help build us up… but sometimes we don’t have those choices. I am so glad things worked out for you!
I think you can divorce your relatives, but I see your point about aging parents. At this stage in their journey, they are not going go change their behavior. I love the idea of detachment, watching it like a movie. Good advice.
Thanks for sharing your story. It's very inspiring. True enough that it's hard to stay positive when you're surrounded by all the negativities, however, it's our choice if we wanted to be affected by the negativity or if we will influence others with all the positivities we have. I will definitely choose the latter.
It is nice to hear such an authentic story! Thank you for sharing! Stay positive!
Don't forget to take care of the environment, and be always aware.