Kill Negativity

Why is it that for so many people (myself included at times), our first reaction to even the slightest inconvenience, is to react in anger. The littlest thing can prompt anything from the thought of acting out to a tirade of epic proportions over something that really is nothing more than a minor set-back (if that).

What am I talking about - things like someone cutting you off in traffic or maybe ALMOST cutting you off - what do you do? Give them the finger, was that really necessary? Did that event, getting cut off on your way to work really have that much of an impact on your life?

The reality is that if you didn't react, you would probably forget about it in moments - instead, you get angry and it festers - you let loose through an obscene gesture or you yell from inside your car with rolled up windows, but the anger is still there. You dwell on it and perhaps because of that little thing your whole day is ruined. As a result, you are negative all day at work - you come home and are frustrated with your kids - you go to a sporting activity and try to hurt someone - all the result of some inconsequential moment in your day. At least it could have been inconsequential.

What would happen if, the next time someone bumps into you in a line-up, instead of losing it, you just smile and carry on with your day? By the time 5 minutes has elapsed, you've totally forgotten that anything even happened.

I don't have the answer, but I'm willing to bet that a little less negativity could make things better for the world. And if you don't care about the world, do it for selfish reason. I'm certain there's some scientific study somewhere that would agree with me.