Take a Mental "Time Out" and Get Back on Track
How to prevent knee-jerk reactions from ruining your life
Lots of people take the easy way out when they hear bad news.
Whether in the form of a disturbing newscast, emotionally-draining drama fest, or potentially damaging weather, the appearance of a negative situation has the ability to disrupt even the finest of days.
And we often find ourselves responding with a corresponding knee-jerk reaction — in solidarity.
Why do unwelcome outside forces have the power to convince folks to join a pity parade?
Personally, I think we’ve been subconsciously trained to be distracted by just about anything or anyone at any time — especially if the situation is laced with drama, suspicion, or distrust.
Perhaps we’ve been led to believe all the issues and concerns of the outside world are not only vital to acknowledge, we’ve afforded them the power to control or possibly destroy our lives. And those unwarranted thought patterns provoke many to cower in fear or act out in anger, even when there’s no real immediate threat being made or suggested.
The result of this “poor me” mindset is concerning.
By automatically exhibiting a quick-draw response to negativity, you may find yourself being sucked down a drain of pessimism. And the resulting distress level can quickly escalate — awakened by the worry that you’ve somehow been put in danger or are under siege.
Those who attempt to convince you to engage in this type of behavior are skilled in the art of sensationalism.
By framing almost any occurrence as shocking, or unbelievable, or even unfair, the gloom-and-doom storytellers have permeated society to the point we’re not always able to tell the difference between what’s true, and a crafty manipulation of reality. And rather than challenge or question, too many effortlessly follow along like mesmerized bystanders.
Think about it. How often are you influenced by what others say or show you? And if that irascible tidbit happens to be something scary or frightening or threatening, how easy is it for you to turn it off, walk away, and leave it behind?