For one day, try to put a positive spin on every negative.
Think it can't be done? It can, it just takes some concentration and resolve on your part.
Think about this when you speak:
Pause
Pause to really think about the next word before it comes out of your mouth. If the tongue is a figurative two edged sword, then why not cut out the negative words before they come out of your mouth - even though they were already formed in your heart and mind. I wonder if the people who "speak their mind" have true friends or just followers who are intimidated by them.
A thought or response has to come from within you. Often the case may be a knee jerk reaction response, but a response none the less. And this type can get us into loads of trouble not only in the real world but in the cyber world as well.
I mean, who hasn't shot off their mouth or an email without thinking it through, only seconds later to regret it and ask, "Why did I say that?" Or in the case of responding on some form of a computerized device, say to yourself, "I need to recall that message!" Because in the real world as well as the cyber world, there are no takesie-backsie's. You can try and damn-it up all you want, but that river is flowing like the white water rapids you swore you'd never ride again after that time your buddies said, "Let's go canoeing!"
Consider the ramifications
Consider the impact that your words will have on the recipient. Will you respond based on the matter at hand? Or based on your current emotional state? Here again that knee jerk reaction comes to mind. If the situation warrants an immediate response, then the answer could be one of a rush to judgement and not well thought out. Some people demand an immediate response but then when they receive it, they find that's not what they really wanted.
And then you don't want to respond based on feelings and emotions either, because this can come back to haunt you. So to keep the response based on the matter at hand, we humans can determine a course of action that does not require feelings or emotion to come into play. Isn't this what separates us from the animal kingdom? Logic! Take a moment to think it through. Often times, I can play out a scenario in my head before taking action. This allows me to see what could happen if I chose to take a particular course of action; or not. I'm sure that we all have this option. If we would just stop and take that second to choose based on logic.
Some may want to call it a freedom of choice or perhaps common sense. But either way, the right way to respond can be made by any individual person who's willing to admit that, first they may not know the answer - pride. Or they are too lazy to find the answer - sloth. Or they're choosing to antagonize the other person to some degree to gain a foothold of some sort - anger, envy.
Opt for a better way to say what you mean
This process can take just a few seconds. Whether your response is, "Let me get back to you on that" Or, "That could work. Let's give it a try". Either way, you'd be surprised how fast the mind can make a logical decision when it needs to.
Decide to make a 180* change
(...to be continued...)
