Letting Go of Negativity

I received this quote from a friend this morning, and I thought I would share it because it spoke to me of work I still need to do on so many levels.

As often happens, this comes to me at a time I am reflecting on the subtle ways that negativity plays a part in my thoughts and words - and how I might simply write off some of those as harmless. But the truth is, they are not, for in the final analysis, we are all connected. Everything we do, or say - or think - has an impact for it sends out a vibration that first resonates within our very cells and internal pathways, and then ripples out, touching others, and affecting the vibrational fields of those near and far...

This is such a hard, but very important lesson to learn, and it is precisely what Judith Orloff, MD, discusses in her new book: Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life, which I am currently reading. The book presents a road map for doing this very important work of letting go of the tyranny of negative feelings and thoughts.

Here is what my friend shared:

"The persistence of negativity, which is that which opposes the good, is a constant in human affairs. Just when it is thought to have been eradicated, up it will pop again, sprouting through some crack in the pavement of civilized society. Evil need not take dramatic or extravagant forms, such as those exhibited in Nazi Germany. Garden-variety lies and deceit are much more common and persistent, but should be rooted out just as diligently. One must be determined to not accidentally feed negativity — either in one's social or professional life, or in one's own soul. In either case, definite rules must be followed for the struggle to succeed.

The first rule: do not compromise with evil. Destructive or exploitive actions must be identified openly for what they are, and discredited.

The second: one cannot successfully resist negativity on its own terms. New, positive alternatives that lead away from the source of the problem are generally more successful, and appropriate than trying to counter negativity with raw power.

The third rule: the means used to counter negativity must be consistent with the end to be achieved. One cannot stop the spreading of lies by spreading more of them.

As long as you diligently hold your ground and ward off negative tendencies and influences, the good will prevail."

My friend ended her email with this wonderful quote - which was also the perfect thing for me to hear on this morning!

"Happiness cannot be traveled to,
owned, earned, worn or consumed.
Happiness is the spiritual experience
of living every minute
with love, grace, and gratitude."
~ Denis Waitley