Negative people are happier
Life is rarely full of roses
I read recently that negative people are happier than the average person because they weigh both sides of any situation. This was particularly of interest to me because I have been told many times in my life that I am a negative person. Some have even labeled me a cynic. This always perplexes me, mostly because they negatively assume that I am an unhappy person. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, I believe that I am more happy than the people judging me. I have a great life full of wonderful friends and oodles of love. There’s this strange phenomenon in our culture that people who “complain” or accurately identify a specific situation are negative. When in fact, they’re really more aware of the reality of what they are experiencing, instead of trying to look at it from a more “positive” perspective.
Let’s take last night for example. The weather threatened to ruin a wonderful outdoor event, but rain or shine people were encouraged to attend. There were a lot of good intentioned people saying things like, “The rain is going to stop,” or, “Look, the clouds are parting.” I interjected and said, “It won’t, in fact it’s forecasted to rain the entire weekend.” This brought moans and the typical, “You’re so negative.” Perhaps it was my delivery, but I didn’t think I was being negative. As my friends fussed, and obsessed over the weather I sat, ate and accepted the evening for what it was.
I like the rain.
I possess great compassion and seek to be of service to others. 
amen to that!! I hate when people think your negative when really, your stating a fact. I also like the rain – much prefer the rain to the sun. makes you feel more alive!
The rain cleans the air.
Great post. I agree with you totally! There’s nothing wrong with accepting things as they are sometimes. I love the rain too.
Thanks.
I think you may be onto something here and I should take a page from your book–today I wrote about sending positive energy out to the universe in my blog (sort of tongue in cheek) but your approach seems much more practical
Everyone has their own style and ways of seeing the world. I find it interesting that some individuals want to pretend that negative things aren’t happening. I read a Vanity Fair article with Lauren Bacall not too long ago in which she said, “How can any thinking person say that they’re happy when there is so much cruelty in the world?” Of course I’m paraphrasing, but she had a good point.
love Lauren – what a practical girl and smart too — and darn if she doesn’t have a point
It was wisdom that only a person with lots of experience could give.
I am an unrelenting optimist, but there is truly a difference between being negative and being realistic! If you were negative you might have commented, “Well, that’s the way the world is. As soon as you want to have fun, it starts raining and the weekend is ruined wahhh wahhh wahhhh.” You’re just a realist!
Sometimes I am also what you just described! Ha! I think it’s important to have a balance in everyone though.
I’m going to have to agree with Brianna, I’d call you more realistic than negative. Pointing out the truth can be labeled as negativity by those who prefer to stick their heads in the sand. But I like questioning things, doubting accepted truths, pushing people to think a little bit, and I get the sense that you do too. But at the end of it all, I am still an optimist. Not because I think everything is rosy, but because I believe in our power to change things for the better.
Great post.
Great comment!