Be the positive force, always | Other

*Note to reader*
it is important for me to mention, This post has been completely altered. the reason for that is of my own mistake. I wanted so bad to share a teachable experience (that I am still learning) with my readers, that I failed to think of anyone else. How selfish of me! Seriously. My heart hurts for many reasons, but, I still feel like this is a teachable lesson, not only for others, but for me. I long to be the positive force that helps others, and while putting this out there, I did the opposite. And for that, I am so, so sorry. So, below, you will read a completely different version of this message. Once again, I apologize to any and all who read this that I may have (sincerely) unintentionally offended. I pray that we all can move on and be better versions of ourselves (me, especially!). -A

They say negatives and positives attract. Which is true.

Likewise, positive people always attract negative people. You could say it is nature, science, the devil working against you, whatever. It happens, and what we need to know, is how not to allow this negative energy to tear us down!
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A positive force will automatically draw a negative charge to it.

​We as people are drawn to the energy we want to possess. I myself, at my best, want to be drawn to upbeat, happy and the person who sees the good in everything and everyone. I want to be drawn to the person who wants to lift others up! 

Even negative people can be drawn to a positive source. Doesn't make them positive, but gradually, they will become a positive person, if they are willing. 

The issue that can arise, if we're not careful, is that negative energy can do just the opposite. It can bring a positive person down.

Have you experienced that? I have. I have been the negative (not proud) and the positive. 

Negative people or even circumstances always seem to try to bring us down right when we are trying to do something great, or be something great. It is just what happens, the Bible teaches on it, I wrote about the story of David and Goliath, and it is all about this. You can read it here.

This negative bringing down a positive can be found all through out our days, our lives, our world. We see it commonly in situations where we are relied to work together, as a team. For example work or even marriage. 

Have you ever been in the position where you come to work with your "happy on", ready to lift your coworkers up, ready to encourage them and work together to make sure everyone has a great day? If your like me, when you walk into work, you can automatically tell what type of "mindset" is hovering over your teammates. 

Heck, maybe you come home to a spouse who you can already tell the minute you open the door, what kind of mood they are in. You debate on how to approach the situation, or not to, for that matter. 

Remember mood rings? The "gem" on the ring would change according to your body temperature, and people (we, as young children) believed it indicated what mood your in. Moods are that evident, they are that obvious, even when you can't actually see them. My mom says it is the Holy Spirit talking, she's pretty wise, so I would think she is probably right! Some might say that you are just in tune to your coworkers or your spouse. So, maybe both. 

We as women, tend to vent when we get together, and while there is nothing wrong with that, too much of it tends to become very wearisome for not only any bystanders of the conversation, but also to the people in the venting session. That is contagious, also. 

Of course, negativity can be someone going as far as tearing another person down, tearing your work establishment down. Which is honestly the worse, but we are all guilty of that from time to time. (Me, included.)

Here you are tying to have pride for your workplace, your job, your position, your teammates and you hear all these negative comments in the background. How disheartening! How discouraging!

Let me be crystal clear, I have been on both ends of this situation. I have been more times than not, the negative one. The frustrated one. The very, hurtful one. I am guilty. Let me say it again, for those in the back, I AM GUILTY OF THIS! No, I am not proud of these moments, by any means. 

What it boils down to, is how unhappy I was. That's not an excuse. Taking ownership for it. 

Here lately, though, I have decided to not sit and wallow with my circumstances, as there is no where else for me to go at this time, so I might as well try to find joy where God has me. I mean that is all I can do, that is what He is asking of me, right now. If we can't be happy where we are currently, how can we be happy in what He has planned for us. 

I try to come in to work on a "workout high", you know a "runner's high", so, all. the. endorphins! Elle Woods said it best, "Endorphins make you happy!". Love that movie, to this day. But, she is right. Even when I don't get a workout in before work, I try really hard to be that same happy. Not only for me, but for my coworkers, too. 

Once again, I am obviously so, so, so guilty of being the negative source. Being the one to drag the team down, to honestly put it, act ugly. But, I want you, my coworkers who might be reading this, my family,  to know that I am trying really, really hard to not be that person! 

Yes, we are going to complain, we are going to vent, we may even have a disagreement from time to time. It is to be expected. None of that makes me not appreciate them any less, or not want to encourage them any less. If someone didn't encourage and appreciate me at my worse, how else would I have gotten pulled out of that funk. I would not have. And those people know who they are, but they probably do not know how grateful I am for them just being themselves and accepting me through my struggles. 

I started this post with the intentions of sharing a lesson on not allowing your anger to respond to the negativity, but it took a very different direction, and I am okay with that. So, I will end it with a list of ways I can help to build up positivity, not only at the workplace, but in our personal lives.
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PS: I don't always feel that I am the person God is asking me to be. Maybe, I don't know how to lift everyone up, maybe I don't know what they need, to be encouraged. Maybe, I am not even the person who is going to do that for them. But, I am praying that I will not be the person that discourages them any longer, that I will not be the person that puts them into a bad mood, that I will not be the person they dread to be around. 

Creating a Positive Work Environment

1. Be the change. It can easily start with you. Moods are super contagious! The Bible teaches on it, and so does Gandhi, not that I study after Gandhi, but anything I read that has been quoted from him, sure does seem wise! 

Put your "happy" on! Show respect, be patient and kind, understanding, helpful. 

Be the person you would want to work with! Don't give into the negativity, the gossip, the drama! Become the ideal coworker that you would want to work with, and the rest will begin to follow.

2. Start Your Day off Right. When you come in, greet everyone with a warm greeting, "Hey (insert name)!". Ask them something about their family or their weekend. Greet visitors with a warm smile! 

3. Engage. Take interest in your coworkers' lives! (This can go along with the previous tip!)

Take the initiative to connect with your coworkers and create a meaningful conversation. Ask about their families and lives, their vacation, their weekend, etc. 

Here's the catch- actually listen to their answers. Take genuine interest in what they are telling you! Make them feel important by asking and listening!
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4. Be a Team Player. Basically, don't be selfish. 

If your coworker needs help, help them. Cover them in front of your boss, encourage them, teach them a simple trick to a difficult process.

Better yet, do something kind and nice for someone- without them asking. 

Also, don't see your job as a competition. By helping someone else, your helping yourself.

5. Show Gratitude. If you know me, you know I am big on this. 

This is so easy! Just THANK your coworker for their help. THANK them for doing something nice for you. Show appreciate to your teammates, your boss, and even the volunteers or interns!

Don't take anyone or anything someone does for you or your team for granted.

6. Encourage Your Teammates.
Encouragement in the workplace can come in many forms. Complimenting your coworker on a job well done, or on their outfit, new hair-do, shoot, on their lunch choices! Any form of compliments is encouraging and uplifting! 

Flattery- sincere, genuine, honesy flattery will get you very far!

BONUS: Pick a person each day, to help.

It could be the co-worker who feels like nothing is going right that day, or maybe it is a new coworker that might be struggling.

​You never know what might be going on in someone's life that you don't see. You going out of your way may just be the drop of sweetness to turn their day around. Do it because you can, don't do it for a thank you. 
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