Can’t recall who said this, but the message stuck with me and it’s worth passing along.
“If you have a good experience, you tell one person. If you have a bad experience, you tell ten people.”
It’s probably human nature to dwell on the negative. We cling to our anger or hurt, (these two are first cousins, you know) and often feel justified in recruiting people to validate our feelings. And perhaps most of us take kindness for granted. After all, isn’t being treated well our just due?
Likely, you’ve heard the story about the Native American elder who told a youngster that two wolves are engaged in battle inside us, one good and one evil. The youngster asks which one wins, and is told, “the one you feed the most.”
Most of us know someone who is determined to be displeased and tries to pass along that mindset to anyone who will listen. If those people haven’t had a bad experience to complain about, they will either create one or dwell on someone else’s problems.
A greeting that used to be common is, “What’s the good word?” I guess “Wassup” has replaced it, but “what’s up” doesn’t necessarily ask for a positive response.
I’m starting to watch my mouth more carefully, and not just in the realm of profanity. I’ve noticed that when I meet someone on the street and say “hello,” they may or may not respond. Often, they just look away and pass on by. But saying “good morning” or “have a nice day” usually generates a greeting in the same vein. It’s been said that “have a nice day” has become trite and meaningless but that seems wrong to me. Everyone that I wish a good day says thanks, and generally wishes me the same. Neither of us has asked what the good word is, we just said them aloud. How is that not a good thing?
The other thing I notice is that when someone, including yours truly, makes a comment about cold weather, the wind, or how winter has hung tough, the next person tends to agree, and negativity grows exponentially.
Here’s another old saying your granny probably used as advice. “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” So, if some days I seem more quiet than usual, don’t worry about it. I’m probably just channeling Granny.
Meet me here next week and, meanwhile, do your best. Someone might like it.