How to Deal with Negative People

Everyone at some point, encounters negative people. Some are unfortunate to have them around nearly all the time. There are some things to do, that will help you avoid them, and deal with them accordingly. Remember, negative people are not happy people. They just want to make you miserable like they are, but you can stop them before they cause damage.

Do Not Go Where They Will Be
I live in a city where there are a lot of negative people. They are on the street, on public buses-just about everywhere. The key is to finding out when they go out, and that's when you don't. If you want to go grocery shopping, for instance, these people do not wake up early in the morning. So, to avoid them, shop early. Want to go to a mall? Find out what time, they start swarming in, and pick a time when they are not there. Sometimes, it will seem unavoidable as you have no choice but to work, or take a public bus to get wherever you are going. Sometimes, there are more than one choice of buses-pick the one with less of these people on it-and sit near the front of the bus if possible, and avoid eye contact. Be deaf, dumb and blind where they are concerned.

Leave Them Alone
Sometimes negative people are they ones you associate with in your day-to-day life. Some of them, you might consider friends. If you do, then it's time to get a new set of friends! Negative people are like poison. The longer they are around, the worse you will feel. If you continue to allow them in your life, they will kill you-and that is just what they want to do. They don't want you to succeed, or be happy. Why? Because they are not happy, even though they may have more than you do. I personally know of someone who always criticizes people, and rude on purpose. She says it's because her therapist told her that she should say whatever is on her mind. Let me tell you, a lot of "crap" has come out of her mouth! What did I do? Stop calling, visiting and stayed scarce. I am much happier, and whenever I do see her, it's just the typical, "How are you doing?", and I'm on my way.

What The Problem Really Is
People seem to be intimidated by anyone that is different. People tend to react based on what they perceive, meaning, they find all sorts of ways to attack you. Any way they can. In my case, I was asked one day if I was a snob. Of course, my reply was "No", and I was shocked at the ignorant question. That seemed to be the mystery of my whole experience-including my family's in this city. I have discovered that what sets me apart from them are only my internal thoughts, but I never express them to anyone. My facial expression is always "normal", or deep in thought. I never made it a point to make anyone feel "little" around me, but they constantly have been trying to bring us down for years. So the reality is that, mediocrity's hate people who are thinkers. People that have talent, and can be very successful. You hear it all the time with celebrity's telling you how they were treated, before they were stars.

I'm not saying that's my destiny, but that sure would be most fitting and well deserved if that is where this is all leading. I have long ago decided that I am not going to surround myself with negative people. All of their useless chattering isn't going to stop me from being who I am, and doing what I want to do. One day, I know I will live in an environment where people mind their own business, don't stay up at late, late hours, and treat me with mutual respect. People with 100% common sense. In the meantime, I will continue to avoid them as much as I can. If you want a happier existence, like myself, you'll do the same.