[Sannah]

Hi Everyone, I have been getting many emails that complain about many situations like immigrants and politics. I have always been a very optimistic person and whenever I enter a situation I look for the positives and things that I have in common with others. When I do this I overlook the negatives and differences that I have with people. I think that this outlook works for so many reasons. There is no hate in it and it brings people together. It is such a better way to live then to be negative and divisive with others. If you approach someone or a group and work from the positives it just makes everything so much better. When a person works from the positives the negatives disappear. One example of this is with children. Focus on their negatives and you get a terrible outcome. Focus on the positives and the world comes alive. Does anyone understand what I am saying here? Feel free to question any of my assumptions. I love to examine a topic in detail and will not take any offense!

[Twinkletoes]

Hi Sannah! Hard to find anything to disagree with in your statement. Great to have you here at NeuroTalk. Welcome!

[AfterMyNap]

It's an interesting topic, Sannah. I don't think that this preeminent need to gripe is unique to the U.S. population, though we Americans do have an inflated sense of entitlement.

When I get those kinds of emails, I look to see if the sender is just pushing it along, or if he/she is actually doing something about the problem/issue. To me, if one wants to complain about something, he/she should also plan to do something about it.

Communication is a mighty tool and, in my opinion, underused and misunderstood by too many people. When we want change, it is in our power to foster that change. If we choose to "ignore it so it will go away", or merely complain about it, we are doing nothing to improve the situation. So, I say, shut up and do something proactive, or keep your emails to yourself!

[Sannah]

Hi Guys! We sound like-minded! Where do these negative people hang out! I would like to affect them. These emails are always the forwarded ones. I usually write a rebuttal and send it back. You are right AMN, I am sure that it is not just the US population but the US population is my concern at this time (the elections really bring this stuff out). I am really impressed how Obama keeps his campaign positive. I hope he can keep it up. AMN, I am originally from Michigan. I grew up between Traverse City and Grand Rapids. Now I live outside of Louisville.

[Victor H]

Sannah,

The negative folks generally have never really seen anyone in a real rock-bottom situation (i.e. a refugee camp). That would enlighten them and change their entitlement-ridden behavior.

Maybe Obama can increase incentives for peeple to joing the Peace Corps or learn a little discipline by joining the armed forces (like the Corps! - slight bias here).

Most folks have never really seen what it is like to be "down and out". It would open their eyes to what they really DO have.

-Vic

[weegot5kiz]

could it seem like this country is more of a complaining country because we have freedom of speech, and are allowed to express our views regardless if I you or others agree or disagree, just a diff approach to it,

as for the emails I can relate. lately i have had a lot of really negative ones not speaking their mind types but more hatred of a certain group of persons, which is a shame, i feel sorry for those type of folks

[Kitty]

I try my hardest not to complain - and have little patience for people who are negative and constantly complaining about every little thing. I think it's just a mindset they have become accustomed to and it's hard to break out of.

[Chemar]

Originally Posted by Sannah

Hi Everyone, I have been getting many emails that complain about many situations like immigrants and politics. I have always been a very optimistic person and whenever I enter a situation I look for the positives and things that I have in common with others. When I do this I overlook the negatives and differences that I have with people. I think that this outlook works for so many reasons. There is no hate in it and it brings people together. It is such a better way to live then to be negative and divisive with others. If you approach someone or a group and work from the positives it just makes everything so much better. When a person works from the positives the negatives disappear. One example of this is with children. Focus on their negatives and you get a terrible outcome. Focus on the positives and the world comes alive. Does anyone understand what I am saying here? Feel free to question any of my assumptions. I love to examine a topic in detail and will not take any offense!

It would be appreciated to return to the topic without seeing this thread degenerate into a "bash certain nationalities and /or politicans and/or political opinions" endless complaint! Discussing the issues is fine, and OP openly invited discussion.

but negative slurs is not in keeping with the tone of the OP