All Things Inspired

Understanding how negative people can be contagious.

Achoo! I think I'm coming down with something. I was recently around some people that were all gloom and despair. They were full of depression and excessive misery. I think if it weren't for bad luck, they'd have no luck at all. Now I'm beginning to feel the same gloom, despair, and agony in me. I understand now how negativity is contagious.

That description actually came from an old comedy show from back in the 1970's called Hee-Haw, hosted by country music legends Buck Owens and Roy Clark. Owens and Clark, to open a segment of the show would sing the words, "Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me." I'm old enough to remember that as funny as this show was, those words can show you how negativity can be contagious among the people you associate with.

Once you realize that your bad behavior, negative attitudes and moods can spread to those around you, it soon becomes evident that negative epidemics are real. They can mentally and physically harm others from the spread of the Toxic Onset Of Bad Attitude Disease, or TOO-BAD (yes, I made that up)!

But in reality, when you exhibit this behavior, you really can infect someone with the power of toxicity. How can you avoid spreading these germs to other you associate with? It takes a big dose of vitamin C5. You've heard of vitamin C being effective in staving off colds and flu. Well, vitamin C5 is effective in promoting positive thinking. Let's take a look at the ingredients of vitamin C5:

Confidence - you must be self-assured in your endeavors. If you belief in your ability, and appreciate that you have what it takes to exude positivity, there is no room for negativity in your life.
Commitment - this is a promise or pledge to a cause or obligation. Your obligation is to maintain positivity. This also reflects perseverance, and loyalty to protecting how you affect others.
Consideration - quite simply, the world doesn't revolve around you. It doesn't want to hear your negativity. Having consideration is being aware of others around you and being contagious with positivity.
Character - this is the strength that defeats negativity. It is your mental and moral DNA. It is the banner of your reputation.
Competence - it's the ability to be positive. You are capable!

Bad attitudes are contagious. But so are good attitudes! You must decide which attitude you want to project. You must ask yourself, "is mine worth catching?" Both positive and negative energies are contagious. If you exhibit negative energy, you will attract negativity. Likewise, if you exhibit positive energy, you are more likely to attract positive energy from other positive people.

It's ultimately your choice to make. I encourage you to choose positivity. Positivity is contagious and it provides you the opportunity to be a carrier. Be contagious. Spread it wherever you go. See the good in every situation and lift others up when you have the chance. While there are numerous benefits to living positively, here's three key points to consider around positivity:

It's greatly impactful - it can be a great influencer of health and well-being. It's like a booster shot of dopamine. It improves productivity in all areas of your life.
The ripple effect - your contagious positivity is just that...contagious. You'll find the ripple effect of positivity to spread from person to person. This can all happen from a simple act of kindness, a smile to someone who hasn't smiled in a while, or an encouraging word to inspire someone to pay it forward.
Cause an outbreak - that sounds dangerous! It may sound that way, however, spreading positive energy isn't dangerous, but it is intentional. Even in the toughest of situations, choosing to be positive will benefit everyone around you. That's a germ worth spreading!

It would seem that we are conditioned to think negatively in most situations. That our brains default to the "gloom and despair". If we don't check our thoughts and behaviors, we can impact those around us in a negative way.

Remember that negativity is contagious. If you are unhappy and it shows, you are contagious. When you show fear, it is contagious. Conversely, happiness is also contagious. As is being optimistic. It's quite simple really, surround yourself with people who are positive. That doesn't mean you avoid negative people all together, but you should strive to be a bright light for those whose views are dark. You have the opportunity and ability to infect those folks with positivity.

Exude positivity! Be contagious! Enjoy life and those around you! And most of all...

Be inspired! Inspire others!