Tag Archive for positive

Accentuate the Positive

Studies have been done on the effects that comments have on people.  It’s obvious that negative comments are hurtful.  We all know the gut-feeling when someone says something that cuts us down, lumps us into an unpopular category, refers to our loved one in an unkind way, makes our work seem meaningless, or otherwise shows contempt toward us and disrespect for us as a person.  Those studies indicate that a single negative comment takes five positive ones to counteract.  Herein lie two lessons: 1) We should try to avoid those soul-tearing words, yet notice when we slip and say them…it happens to all of us. 2) We should practice saying five positive things daily to each person we live with or have frequent contact with.  In this way, we work toward showing more respect for other members of our human family.  And our emphasizing the positive makes us a happier, less stressed-out person.

MLK Day–for Children

Today is Martin Luther King., Jr. Day. What’s important is to focus on what he stood for: peace, equality, and justice.

Let’s start with our children. Encourage them to talk instead of fighting when they find themselves in uncomfortable situations. Ask if they’ve been picked on or have seen other children being picked on, and explore the topic of bullying. When a child does something that physically or emotionally harms another child, get him to put himself in that child’s place to experience what she feels, and decide together what positive action, not punishment, is appropriate to heal the situation.

Read children’s books together featuring a person of another culture and talk about the similarities between the character’s life and their life. Engage them in a game that involves taking turns and sharing, adding a penalty rule for arguing and bonus points for compromising and working out differences.

n short, help your kids think and act in ways that help bring about the world MLK worked toward–one of peace and compassion.

A Delightful Photo

To end my week of positive posts, I offer you this delightful picture for no other reason than enjoyment.

TV is Promoting Positive Change

I’ve been pleased with some TV programs, notably “The Good Doctor,” “Born This Way,” and “Speechless.”  Finally!  Shows that depict people with disabilities as having actual real productive lives.  More series now include characters in wheelchairs, for example, as part of their regular cast as opposed to window-dressing gliding through in the background.

I have a physical disability, weakened by polio.  But I’m educated, successful, and have a full life–like almost all of my disabled friends. For too long we didn’t see people like us on TV or in the movies (they haven’t evolved yet, though).  On the rare occasion that a disabled person appeared, they were those background-gliders, extras in a hospital, or beggars on the streets.

This new trend is having an effect, too.  With a tightening job market, employers are actually looking toward hiring people with disabilities.  In fact, job statistics show rising employment of that segment of the population.

I’m starting to feel represented.  And I’m seeing more people like me working in shops and venues I frequent.  It’s about time!