Spreading positive energy

Recently I have been challenged with several sources of difficult thinking people and situations.  I mean that it is difficult to meet their level of thinking and agree 100%.  Most people are aware of their viewpoint only & are really conflicted when presented with another viewpoint that doesn't match theirs.  Everyone likes to think that they are right, they are okay, and that their way is best.  In fact, because of this it is very easy to fall into patterns of complaining, constantly even.  I'm no "Pollyanna" type of person, I know life is full of hard things, awful things, full out excrement things.  I just get tired of everyone complaining, its oppressive.  It is getting to the point where it could be a cliche, "to be human is to complain."  

Complaining is not the same as having an opinion.  The differentiation becomes blurred when one negative opinion is broadcasted, repeatedly, beyond its purpose.  Negative energy breeds negativity.  Have you ever gone to a meeting in an okay state of mind & walked away grumbling?  It seems as contagious as yawning, and just as insidious.  After thinking about this and the mind body connection, I wonder.  Can we make ourselves sick by fixating on the negative?  Another cliche is to "fake it 'til you make it."  I have re-interpreted that to mean: the lousier I feel, the better care I must take of myself.  Even when I don't feel like smiling, sometimes it helps to trick myself into it by looking at silly youtube videos, sharing cheezy jokes, or playing with my cat.  Once I choose to change my mind, if feels like throwing off a big heavy blanket, or basking in sunshine after being indoors all day.  

I know that when there is a lousy mood in our home, it feels oppressive.  I don't know how else to describe it, like a black rain cloud right over my home.  Everyone reacts to it differently with different coping.  TV, computer, video games, naps, swearing, fights, yelling matches, competing for attention...  When Negative comes to visit, it is getting better to acknowledge it, and deal with it.  Ignoring Negative seems to generate more.  Thats my rambling thoughts right now.  Here's a prayer that resonates with me & stimulated this post.

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
Mother Teresa

Sharing the positive energy

May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

This is a prayer of St Theresa, AKA St. Therese of Lisieux.  I found it taped to a file cabinet at work, copied it and put it back.  I had to do some internet searches to find the author.  Sometimes comfort & care come in the most mysterious ways.  Drink them in as they come, they serve to fill the reservoir of self.  I know I need it to get up every day & do my best to raise MrD the best I can and to be a good person at the same time.

A prayer

God, help me to tell the truth to the strong and to avoid telling lies to get the weak's applause.  If you give me fortune, do not take away my reason.  If you give me success, do not take away my humility.  If you give me humility, do not take away my dignity.  God, help me to see the other side of the medal.  Don't let me blame others of treason just because they don't think like me.  God, teach me to love people as I love myself and to judge me as I judge others.  Please, don't let me be proud if I succeed, or fall in despair if I fail.  Remind me that failure is the experience that precedes triumph.  Teach me that forgiving is the most important in the strong and that revenge is the most primitive sign in the weak.  If you take away my success, let me keep my strength to succeed from failure.  If I fail people, give me courage to apologize and people fail me, give me courage to forgive them.  God, if I forget you, please do not forget me.

Mahatma Gandhi