(Being nice all the time is a cop out, just like being negative is. But it’s more beneficial if we focus on NOT being negative, rather than just being nice. It’s possible to critique and joke without being mean. And on with the Niceness Project.)
It’s easy to be negative. For too many of us, it’s too often our first reaction to anything out of the ordinary, no matter what we eventually discover. Many call it sarcasm, but sarcasm doesn’t have to be so brutally negative, it’s just easier that way.
I am one of these offenders. I could craft a negative sarcastic or just plain negative comment about kittens chasing a ball of string or little children at play. I do it because I think it’s funny. In a similar way to smokers thinking that cigarettes relax them, I assume that venting my negativity will somehow get rid of it.
Lies. All lies. Negativity begets negativity and sarcasm only produces more. People like me spiral into voids of lousy feelings until we end up hating everyone, though a lot of that hate is completely deserved (holy christ I can’t stop myself).
After questioning Dean Ouellette’s quest to end his complaining, the man challenged me: no negativity for a week. And no, I’m not saying I’ll just be nice. That only works for bouncers who can fight and dance.
So, it’s on. One week, no negativity. No biting sarcastic comments.
I’m not even sure if I’ll be talking for a while.
