Negativity

I remember the words of a song that I used to sing at Sunday School as a little girl in Jamaica, "...watch your lips, watch your lips, what they say...." Then we would all chorus "Don't say"!   In a big loud happy shout, as kids would do, because the teacher wanted to make it fun for us and we would do rounds like that...oh those days...bliss!

Do you realize dear reader that what you say and how you say it has consequences?  Sometimes not so good ones too.  Negativity affects behavior, it bleeds your spirit and it sometimes predicts outcomes.  A not so good one at that.  This is why it is important for us to be careful of what we say to ourselves, and to the other people in and around our lives. It is never a good thing to say anything when you're angry.  You shouldn't send an email, write a letter, blog, tweet, post a status update, or even have a conversation with anyone when you're angry.  This is the time when whatever emotions we are feeling boils to the surface and we end up saying things we might regret later. You will have to take a break, go somewhere to cool off until you get your emotions under control.  The negative things you say can be especially damaging to the younger more impressionable people in your life, your children.  They hurt more easily than anyone else because they are kids and they won't know how to process negative behavior.  It might even cause them to "act" out.  We want to be encouraging at all times, especially when it isn't easy to do so. For example, when your child brings home his or her report card with failing grades, you don't want to fly off the handle and you especially don't want to call him or her names!  As a parent you should accept the bad, and turn it around by being encouraging and motivate your child to future successes, even if you have to bribe them! (bribing is a form of motivation isn't it?!)

One thing I always say to my children and my husband is to never put negative sayings "out there" in the Universe.  Because in doing so we are predicting the outcome of our endeavors with negative expectations.  It is always good to expect the positive, even when the odds are stacked against you!  As you work on improving your life, working on the goals you have set for yourself this year, remember to keep your thoughts positive, and never give up, even in the face of failure.  Keep working at what you want, you can do it, it will take time, but your success is around the corner!