Write Or Wrong 83

Negative Exposure

Have you ever been around someone with such a negative outlook on life that it starts to make you feel negative? Someone who seems to genuinely feel those bad vibes set forth by reality and just wallows in their own negativity. Well, I have. And y'know what? It sucks.

Lately, when I'm not at work or busy with some extraneous responsibility, I've been hanging out with friends. Like most people with friends, we've had some laughs and good times and genuinely enjoyed each others company in life. Yes, things get stressful now and again, but we appreciate the good stuff that comes out way. Recently, one of my pals has been in an extreme funk. He gets upset at the slightest thing, tends to look at everything in the most negative light and snaps back at folks who seem to have a contrary outlook or just seem more upbeat. In essence, he's a real downer to hang around.

Now I know that we all have bad things that happen to us. The world can be a shitty place. I mean, George Bush was re-elected for a second term as president. That alone assures that the world is spinning towards the negative end of the spectrum. But let's be honest, there are people in the world who have real problems. Some can't afford nice clothes, health care, or even food. Some people have life threatening illnesses. And some have bills to pay, graduate classes to attend, and not the best luck with the opposite sex. Which one of those seems like something to really be negative about?

I mean, it's understandable that when things get a little tough, your spirits can be down. But just because you're not having luck with the opposite sex after years of luck and your job and classes are stressful doesn't mean you have license to vent in such a negative manner. You can't say things like, "I have no empathy for anyone else" or "I'm done with girls/guys." That's just plain selfishness speaking. It's someone buying into the fact that they are the all important center of things. There are a lot worse things for a great deal of people. Such petty problems are really of little consequence.

And when someone gives off such negativity, they kill the spirits of those around them. They are so selfish that they want everyone else to be miserable or to know the "truth": that everything sucks. And that is just not right. But then again, misery loves company, right?