I consider myself a friendly and positive person. I enjoy making people smile and spending time with optimistic people. But for one reason or another, I’ve been surrounded lately by rude behavior, and it’s starting to drag me down. 
Real World Story: In one short workday, I encountered the following behaviors:
• Flight attendants who neglect to make eye contact, smile, or engage in ANY way
• Passengers who rush down the aisle and make snide comments to slower moving people
• Customer service reps who are disinterested in helping until the customer engages them through a compliment
• Workshop participants who blatantly talk amongst themselves even after being asked politely to stop
• Pedestrians who lollygag when crossing the street then give a dirty look at drivers who slowly creep toward them
And just when I had given up all hope, I get into a Super Shuttle van at the Reagan International airport in Washington, DC. Sitting in the van are a man from Puerto Rico, a woman from Cameroon, and the driver who is from Zaire. These three individuals were incredibly friendly, helpful and POSITIVE. Although our time together was short, we enjoyed our drive, and my faith in human kindness was restored. Whew! That was a close one!
Strategies that Turn it Around:
How to stay positive in a negative world:
1. Read, create, and write in your gratitude journal – daily!
2. Wear your Happy Pants button – (email me at Barbara@barbarakhozam.com for your free button!)
3. Do something nice for someone else – help put luggage in the overhead bin, hit elevator buttons, hold doors, give compliments.
4. Call or visit someone you KNOW to be positive.
Remember: Negative attitude and behavior is contagious – BUT so is positive attitude and behavior. You will achieve much more in life when you focus on positive things and people while ignoring the negative ones. Period.
What do YOU do to stay positive in a negative world? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.