Party Poopers

We all know them. The party poopers. Those people that no matter what, can't seem to find something to be happy about. They suck the energy out of a room as they walk in. In a party scene, you can avoid them. But what do you do about your friend, your brother, your co-worker, your mother or any other person close to you who is so negative you feel the positivity drain out of you?

Understand. That is the answer, to understand. Our first response usually is to stir them into the light. But when someone is this negative and pessimistic, we will not be heard. Our best response is to commiserate with them. Let them rage. Let them know you understand how they feel. I tend to offer a standard answer. It's a true answer and it helps soften the negative energy. My boss is a jerk, my friend says. I can't imagine what it must feel like, I reply. Try it out. If someone is raging, let them. Then respond with an I can't imagine what it must feel like. Or you can try an I'm sorry you are feeling this way or any other phrase that offers true and genuine empathy.

The amazing thing about letting the other person vent is that it allows them to release negativity and can open them up to seeing with new eyes, to understand themselves, to a more positive approach to life. Do not resist the negativity. Allow the other person to move out of that energy and heal of it. Today is a good day to bring your positive light into a negative circumstance. Just allow the negativity to flow through.