Thursday, November 29, 2012

Friday Loose Bloggers Consortium: Doom and Gloom

I'm biting my typing fingers as I begin today's post, trying not to make it political.  See what great self discipline I have?  I only mentioned politics once already.  :)

Even when things seem bleak and dark, it doesn't help to spread the message of doom and gloom.  I have noticed that these feelings seem to spread like wildfire.  I heard once that people tell other people about arguments they have had, hoping that they can get them on their side.  I think those who spread doom and gloom are also looking for reinforcements.  If they can get enough people to agree with them, then their view of the world must be correct.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't be realistic.  We have to acknowledge evil, and fight against it whenever possible.  But slandering others, or passing on information in order to get a reaction from people, doesn't help anyone.  You know what I'm talking about.  There is always someone who passes on unsavory news just for the shock value.  And just maybe it feels good to get riled up about something once in awhile.

But overall, I think it is more wise, and more healthy, to focus on the brighter, more positive side of life.  It doesn't help the situation to get others upset, or to dwell on negative thoughts ourselves.  And just like "Pollyanna", we can always find something for which we can be glad.  We can always find something for which we are thankful.  For example, I have cursed the "squat" toilets here in China.  I hate them with a passion.  But over the past few weeks, I have noticed that my knees are getting stronger, and think there is a direct correlation to using the squat toilets.  I can still vehemently dislike the toilets, but I don't have to complain, and I can find something about them for which I am grateful.

So before you pass on messages of gloom and doom, ask yourself if passing this along will accomplish any worthy goal.  Will it encourage people to live better?  Will it bring peace to the lives of others, or will it make them miserable?  I think we have enough "gloom and doom-sayers" in the world already.

Let's hop on over and see what the other consortium members have to say about gloom and doom:
RummuserAnuAshkokGaelikkaGrannymarPadmumMagpie11, andAkanksha,Will KnotMaria the Silver FoxAnkiNema Noor Paul Plain Joe, and RohitThe Old Fossil, our newest member MAXI! and last, but not least SHACKMAN! :)

8 comments:

Rummuser said...

By nature and instinct I am not prone to predict doom and gloom. I accept that things can and do go wrong, but there is no point on anticipating the worst and dreading the future. I would rather handle events as they develop.

Grannymar said...

You had problems squatting, I have problems with stairs when I go to Dublin as all my family live in two story houses. Mind you after a week the knees begin to loosen up.

Maxi said...

"Squat toilets?" Never heard of this. Is this because the people there are short? Hope your knees continue to hold up.
Blessings ~ Maxi

padmum said...

I have just had a lesson from my 31/2 year old granddaughter, Madhura, about how to sit on the floor. She seriously gave me tips, demos and advice about how to go about this matter. She cannot understand that I just can't 'Bend ze kneez' as one TV character advised about skiing!

How true that people--especially TV and Newspapers--can only zone in on 'doom and gloom'! How many feel good stories do we hear in the media? Maybe 5 to 10% of the TV time or newspaper pages give us something to feel that yes we human beings care, share and empathise with the rest of humanity.

Anonymous said...

Maxi - there are many many squat toilets out there - which is far better than no toilets.

I with you on the spreading sunniness. May as well. We'll all be a long time dead.

Maria from Silver Fox said...

Squat toilets? You have brought a whole new picture of China to me. The closest to a squat toilet for me was the kindergarten little toilets. On occasion when the kids were gone, I would sneak in and use a child size one because the Faculty bathroom was at the other end of the school.

I do admire your attitude and look forward to more information about China that is not in the guide books.

Looney said...

Ah, Squat toilets. That brings back lots of fond memories.

Nene said...

You are by far a stronger woman than I am....