Minnesota D.A.R.E. Parents Blog

Every morning this week, I woke up to negative messages…on the home page of the computer server, the newspaper, Facebook, the TV, etc., etc.  There were negative stories on the stock market, Ebola, ISIS activity, political controversary, and the list goes on.  Do you know the impact this can have on people?  These messages can spread like a virus and create an epidemic of negativity.

Did you ever notice how, when we get close to an election, more and more negative news stories emerge?  A simple use of wording, can slant a story one way or another, and send out tainted messages.

Watch the stock market.  An economic report can be interpreted as positive or negative and it can throw off the market.

DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR OR READ! 

If you choose to read all of those negative articles, watch for simple words that are intended to cause panic or mislead you.  They may speculate, look at “possible” leads, and sensationalize.  If you have ever been interviewed, it is shocking how they only take small bytes of what you said, and twist it to have a new meaning.  You may not even recognize the statements credited to you.

Is it any wonder we live in an anxiety filled world?  It “appears” there is nothing positive in our world of gloom and doom.  When we choose to believe it, it becomes a part of  our daily conversation, and it continues to spread like a bad game of telephone.

Don’t let the media have power over you!  Don’t let other media followers influence your thinking!

Start today by seeing the beauty in the world!  It is all arount you too.  Your thoughts belong to you!  Don’t allow others to dump negativity on you.  Choose to pass positive energy on your children, family, friends, and neighbors.  This too can spread like a virus throughout the world!

Kathi Ackerman, MSW, LGSW, LADC