The Color of Negativity

"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable

 whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things"

(Philippians 4:8-9)

Recent changes to Alberta's provincial leadership, as well as the impending federal election, have been the impetus for a flurry of criticisms in the social media feeds that I follow. It is sad enough that our elected leaders play sandbox politics, slinging mud at each other; it seems that the general public is pleased to join in.

I am saddened by all of this negativity for absolutely nothing desirable is gained from the expenditure of energy. If we are seeking change, presumably for the better, perhaps the best course of thought and action is to focus on the life-giving results that we want rather than on those things that we feel are broken, undesirable, or just plain wrong.

“There is a magnificent, beautiful, wonderful painting in front of you!

It is intricate, detailed, a painstaking labor of devotion and love!

The colors are like no other, they swim and leap,

they trickle and embellish!

And yet you choose to fixate your eyes

on the small fly which has landed on it!

Why do you do such a thing?” 

"(C. JoyBell C.)

Not only does negative thought pull you down, it also sends out a very destructive ripple into the world. It does not reflect the best of who you are, it is not a prayer for peace, for growth, or for healing; it does not create life. Mud-slinging and all forms of "BMW's" (bitching, moaning, and whining) are a waste of the amazing brain power that the universe saw fit to plant in a human being!

“Relationships with negative people

are simply tedious encounters with porcupines.

You don’t have the remote knowledge

how to be close to them

without quills being shot in your direction.” 

(Shannon L. Alder)

We may not like all of the policies and actions of a particular political party, and we have a responsibility to hold our leaders to account. Nonetheless, is it not our mandate, our responsibility as members of a community to support and encourage our leaders, and to ask them to do the same for us? Instead of picking away at the party we do not support how about thanking them for doing their best, praise their strengths, and offer encouragement for change? 

“Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind

for they are the weeds that strangle confidence.” 

(Bruce Lee)

We want a strong province, a strong country; a strong world even. For this we will need to give each other strength, we will need to reveal our best, we will need to exceed ourselves, go past our limits, stretch our potential. Humanity's evolution cannot suffer the foolishness of bickering and complaining. The Divine Light that fills us seeks expression through creative, novel, life-giving thought and action. 

Be the leader for which our communities yearn; be amazing and brilliant wherever it is you are. Inspire, Love, and shine brightly.

I end as I began, with a word from the great encourager Paul:

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,

but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests,

but also to the interests of others."

(Philippians 2.3-4)

The color of negativity...

collecting water in a broken barrel.

They who plant

lifeless seeds

harvest

what

is

sown

Be a seed

of life

Breathe

Laugh

Play

To Ponder Further:

- From the Bible: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven..." (Luke 6.37)

- From Islam: "Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13)

-- From Hinduism: "One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire." (Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8)