20th June,2023
Biologically speaking, humans have a ‘Negativity Bias’ which means we’re actually designed to focus on the negatives.
Our brains are hardwired for negativity, because human beings are wired to survive.
It’s more natural for us to expect the worst, catastrophize, be cautious and slow to change. If the default position is to survive, this means worrying about the what-ifs.
We generally complain about the negative things in life but we fail to look at the positive side of it.
A chance interaction with a child one day taught me a valuable lesson on how to look for ‘The positive in your Negatives.”
I was visiting a client one day, but was worried about all my problems,
Issues with my business, customer complaints, accounts to be finalized, the overdrawn bank account, taxes to be paid, house to be repaired, work to be done and to top it all, some guests were coming over the next day.
I was not feeling very thankful at that time.
I suddenly noticed my client’s young son scribbling furiously into his notebook.
I asked him what he was doing?
“My teacher asked us to write a paragraph on ‘Negative Thanks giving’ for homework today,” He replied. “She asked us to write down things that we are thankful for, things that make us feel not so good in the beginning, but turn out to be good in the end.”
With curiosity, I peeked into his notebook & This is what he was writing:
“I’m thankful for Final Exams, because that means school is almost over.
I’m thankful for bad-tasting medicine, because it helps me feel better.
I’m thankful for waking up to alarm clocks, because it means I’m still alive.
I’m thankful when I get tired in sports because it means I’m building my muscles.”
It then dawned on me, that I also had a lot of things to be thankful for!
I thought again…
I had to pay taxes but that meant I was fortunate to be employed.
I had problems in my business to solve but that meant I had a business to run,
I had the house to be repaired but that meant I had my own home to live in.
I had some family issues but that meant I had a family with whom I could celebrate.
Some guests were coming over and it meant I had friends I could enjoy with.
The lesson I learnt that day is a constant reminder whenever I feel down or negative.
I have also learnt to trust that ‘When the answer is no, there’s a better yes down the road.’
Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and think of what could go right.
Count the positives in your negatives, look at the better part of life this day, see the opportunity in every obstacle that you face & stay blessed forever.