Why should we be positive in life? How does negativity affect yourself and others?

There is nothing higher in this world than positive viewpoint. Why is positive thinking so important? If we can always be positive in life and never become negative, then worries, disappointments, depression, will never arise. These are a few benefits of staying positive. But the task of negative intellect is to show negatives of the people close to us, constantly.

Negativity has adverse effects on oneself as well as others. Because the entire Universe is densely filled with particles. The science of these particles works in such a way that when we think positive, positive vibrations arise in the particles, and when we think negatively, negative vibrations arise. If we have any kind of thoughts for a person, those vibrations will reach that person. Then, based on those vibrations, the other person also experiences those positive or negative feelings.

If the side effects of negativity are understood, one will be determined to get rid of it. If we want to be happy, we should always be positive so that the negative does not affect us.

Just as a coin has two sides, life also has two possible outcomes, ‘positive’ and ‘negative’. In this world, negativity brings suffering and positivity brings happiness. This is the main reason why we should be positive in life. The one whose mind remains constantly positive, truly becomes God. Negativity not only wastes time in worldly matters and entangles us, but also prevents happiness from approaching, and keeps us trapped in worldly existence.

Negativity causes suffering, positivity brings peace of mind

Negativity leads to loss of happiness, clashes and suffering arise, and there is constant unrest in the mind. Especially when we see negatives of other people, we experience a lot of suffering. Our negative vibrations reach the other person and their counter-vibrations reach us; this cyclic process continues indefinitely.

Negative vision brings unrest, whereas positive vision brings peace of mind. For example, someone loaned a large amount of money from us and is not intending to return it, and we get a thought in the middle of the night, “Looks like he is not going to repay me. What will happen now?” which will not allow us to sleep. Instead, if we remain positive that, “If the money is to be returned, it will come in its own time, but right now, let’s get some good night’s sleep!” then our night will be peaceful.

In life, if we set a positive outlook with everyone in our home, family, neighborhood, conflicts will reduce and we will experience peace. Our mind will not be disturbed. If there is anything most valuable in this world, it is the peace of mind. Internal losses are much heavier than external losses. So, it is wise to remain positive always.

Negativity depletes energies, positivity manifests energies

Negativity saps our energy. For example, if we are assigned a task, and if we think negatively that “I will not be able to do this task” then we will lose our energy to complete the task at that very instant. If one continuously thinks negative for themselves, over time, they become a victim of despair and depression.

So, whenever a negative thought arises in the mind, immediately replace it with a positive one, like “Why can't it happen? It surely will.” This way, your energies will not diminish. When we remain aware of our thoughts and interactions with others, as well as focus on transforming negative thoughts into positive ones, then our inner strengths are revealed.

Negativity increases distance, positivity wins the person

Negativity for the near one’s further distances us from them. If a person speaks negatively about us, we immediately start seeing their negatives as well. People will not enjoy working with us and we will not be able to enjoy working with them either. If we see negative of the servant, he too will leave the job. Seeing someone’s negative over and over again will cause divisiveness within and oneness with the person will fade away. Thus, for having cordial personal and professional relationships, it is essential to be positive.

If we are constantly frustrated by someone, then seeing their negatives will not make any difference or change them; rather, our frustrations will increase. Instead, we should win them over by staying positive towards them.

Negativity worsens worldly interactions; positivity makes worldly dealings beautiful

If we repeatedly see someone's negative, then our interaction with that person start to deteriorate. While, through positivity, the relationship becomes beautiful and peaceful.

Being negative in everything increases complaints and problems, while staying positive does not cause any problems, hardships, or complaints.

Negativity will not allow one to adjust with others, will lead in seeing everyone’s faults. While being positive will find solution in any circumstances and will help us adjust, blend in. Therefore, it becomes necessary to be positive.

Negative words ruin, positive words improve

If we hold negative opinions about someone, they tend to deteriorate even further. A single critical word can cause the other person to spiral downward. For example, if a boy serves water to the guests at home and his parents say, “Our son is very helpful,” his positive trait gets nurtured, and he notes in his mind that, “I will be even more helpful.” Then, he will be eager to help next time.

But if the parents say, “He is very stubborn”, or if he does something good but makes a little mistake, and they comment, “He served water but broke the glass; he always causes damage,” then this negative opinion will cause the boy to deteriorate further. Then he will decide, “I won’t be helpful anymore!” When parents quarrel to correct their children’s mistakes, it can crush their positive qualities. This is a great responsibility for parents.

If someone makes a mistake then they can be given the right understanding, but if we speak negatively about them, then we will be at faultInstead if we speak positive of that person then it will empower them, and even we will not accumulate any fault ourselves.

Negative words break one’s ego. Instead, if we remain silent about the other person's mistake, they themselves will bring a transformation in their life. One historical example proves this point. When Mahatma Gandhiji was around fifteen years old, his brother incurred debt of about twenty-five rupees due to a bad habit of eating meat. At those times, twenty-five rupees were very valuable. Both brothers were pondering on how to repay the debt when they came up with a solution.

Gandhiji cut a portion of his brother’s solid gold bracelet, sold it, and used the money to pay off the debt. Upon feeling remorseful of the theft, Gandhiji wrote a letter confessing the mistake to his father. He feared that his father will be angry and will scold him harshly. But instead his father didn’t say anything, remained silent. Just two tears rolled down his eyes. This silence had a tremendous impact on Gandhiji. This impact prevented him from committing any wrongdoing for the rest of his life.

Negative words break ego, positive words empower

When we speak negative words for someone, it disturbs their mindset. They feel hurt, their ego is wounded, and their enthusiasm breaks down. Negative speech is commonly spoken in relationships like husband-wife, in-laws, parents-children, or employee-employer. For example, saying things like, “You’re too slow, so weak.” Or “You don’t know anything, you will never succeed,” “You never want to work; just want to show off,” “I am so tired of you.” After being wounded by such words, the other person's ego either suppresses or retaliates.

The effects of negative words can be long-lasting and gruesome. For example, Draupadi’s words, “The blind man’s son is blind,” triggered the great war of Mahabharata. So, speak positively, which causes no harm to anyone or oneself. If negativity causes a single harm to the other person, it causes ten times more harm to oneself.

Negative words have an adverse psychological effect on the other person. If a mother-in-law repeatedly tells her daughter-in-law, “You’re crazy”, eventually, she will become crazy. On the other hand, positive words can even bring a mad person to their senses, tell them, 'You are wise,' and their madness will disappear. If the other person’s ego is weak then positivity strengthens it. People become the way we regard them.

So, we should speak in such a manner that their negativity dissolves. We should be so positive that the other person's negativity melts away. Just like a sandalwood tree continues to spread its fragrance even when axed, cut, peeled, or shaken, a positive ego always brings joy to others, no matter the circumstances. When we always see positivity in people and never perceive negativity, then our speech will naturally become beautiful. This is another reason to be positive.

Negativity criticizes, positivity praises

Oftentimes, the root cause of being negative toward others is jealousy. “I am very good” if this ego increases, then one is unable to see good in others, that’s where jealousy takes place and one begins to try and bring the other person down. As a result, one engages in criticism and negative conversations. In reality, when we criticize someone by saying, “This person is like this or like that,” it affects our own Soul. Criticizing others is same as criticizing the God within them. This ultimately results in suffering and distress for oneself.

Majority of the times, when negative discussions happen in someone’s absence, the matter blows out of proportion. People dig into it, complicating matters, and when the conversation reaches the person being discussed, it causes them deep pain. This not only harms the one criticizing but also poisons the minds of others who are listening to this negativity.

Excessive criticism can lead to a lower life-form, even to the point of being reborn as an animal. Just as a thief must serve time in prison for their crime, if one is reborn as an ox, their owner may muzzle them, whip them, or deny them food, yet they remain helpless and unable to speak a word.

It is the law of nature, if we acknowledge and praise the good qualities of others, those qualities begin to manifest within us. If we feel jealous of someone, encouraging their positive traits will dissolve our jealousy. Not only that, if we lack those qualities, they will begin to develop in us, and if we already possess them, they will become stronger.

Negativity increases vengeance, while positivity dissolves vengeance

This is another important reason to be positive. Negative ego not only causes suffering to oneself, but also hurts others around them. Then they start blaming other people or get into conflicts with them. Especially when conflicts arise with those who are weaker, their ego then holds a grudge.

On the other hand, positive ego does not cause hurt to anyone in the world. A person with a positive ego can remain peaceful and bring happiness and calm to others as well. Positivity not only keeps worldly sorrows away but also improves the health of the mind, speech, and body.

A positive viewpoint brings immediate results, provides freedom, and prevents the accumulation of negative karma. With positivity, no grudges are formed in the world, and one becomes lighter. Ultimately, when the ego dissolves completely, one attains liberation from the world.

Negativity turns one into a demon, while positivity makes one a God (divine)

Positive viewpoint has so much power that it can transform a human being into a God, while negative viewpoint can turn a human into a demon. Negative intellect, which distorts perception, can lead a person into such a deep, destructive ditch that make one bind karmas that take them to hell. On the other hand, a positive viewpoint, even in the face of negativity, sees the good in every situation.

Krupaludev has said, “I am a vessel of endless faults, O Compassionate One! If I don’t see my own flaws, then how can I be saved?” By focusing on others’ faults, one drowns, but by seeing one’s own faults, one can cross the ocean of worldly life.

The Soul represents the positive side, while the intellect constitutes the negative. One’s spiritual level rises significantly through positivity. If we become negative, on the outside it may seem beneficial according to worldly beliefs, but all in all, we suffer a great loss within, and our spiritual level declines significantly.

Once we experience the power of positivity, it will never leave. Even if staying positive leads to loss externally, but internally it brings immense freedom and joy. Aartadhyan (adverse internal state of being that hurts the self) and Raudradhyan (Adverse internal state of being/meditation that hurts the self and others) decrease. A person with positive viewpoint can progress further and attain the right vision and ultimately reaches liberation.