I haven't thought a lot about how to respond to negativity. In fact, a long time ago, I remember making a decision that rather than ridicule a person's negativity, I would think about what I could do to make better. This was mostly a good decision since it moved me in positive directions, but in some ways that decision gave me too much responsibility for other's negativity. As a beloved family member said recently, "You can't solve all problems."
So at this juncture, I want to think a bit more about the negativity I encounter in life. We all face negative retorts and actions in response to who we are and what we do. I believe there is always something to learn from that negativity, but now I also believe that we don't have to take on all that negativity either. While yes there may be nuggets of truth in negative barbs and behavior, it is also a weigh that is often unnecessary to carry.
For example, recently I was elated about a situation. I expressed my sheer joy only to be met with negative remarks which quickly crumpled my cheerful disposition. I could spend hours trying to dissect the negative retorts or I could simply distance myself from that negativity and let the joy lead me instead. Why was the event so joyful? What does that joy say about who I am and what I love to do? How can I replicate that joy more often in my life? Letting the joy lead rather than the negative ridicule is the direction I am going to choose for a while.
Of course how we express our joy and who we express that joy to may impact the responses we get, and I do want to be mindful of that.
So for a while, my response to negativity will be to simply distance myself and let the joy lead me forward. I'll put the deep analysis related to negative responses on hold for a while. That feels like the right next step. Onward.