negative people

I do understand with what you mean. Sometimes the energy of those pessimist affects the energy of the optimist. There is no cure for negativity but we can help positivity to be contagious. Gave her a book about Positivity and something to inspire her.

I can understand her problem. My suggestion is that your friend should straightaway tell this to her sister the moment she starts her tirade.Your friend is being kind and feeling dutybound to help out her sister in time of her need.THe sister has no right to depress her. Your friend must be convinced about it first of all.Then she would naturally voice her opinion. Being upfront helps at times. EVeryone has aright to one's own peace of mind. If on the other hand you mean thta the sister is pessimistic about the knee surgery , then too a straightforward approach would help and your friend would have to threaten her to knock some sense into her head and say hta she will go away

There seems to be a lot of people like this these days, I think they are just very unhappy people and the negativity is just part of their personality that comes from it, I can't help feeling sorry for them, it can't feel good to always be negative.

That's tough...being around negativity can greatly effect us no matter how we try to repel it. The best advice that I can think of to give would be to keep thinking good thoughts and try to return as much positivity as the sister deals out negativity. You can always hope some of those positive thoughts and feelings will rub off on her.

It is easier said than done, but I would try not to listen to her. Another way I deal with those kind of people when I am on an evil mood is to double their negative sentences. If they have a cold, I had 2 and worse. It is irritating though. I have an aquaintance that thinks I should use all my energy worrying about her knees that hurt. Mine do too (since a long time) but considering that I also have cancer, she might change the subject. So I tease her or change the subject myself.

Well, I have been there with that negative thing. I sometimes feel that way. But, I think the best way to deal with a totally negative person is just avoid conflict of any kind. Be patient. Since your friends sister had knee surgery, it might not be that bad because she will be in some pain. And that might take the edge off the negative. Although it will create new negatives. Get the person involved in something like a movie or a book or even the internet.

The human minds is not designed to process negative thoughts. Today,due to fast lifestyles, our minds too are racing so fast that we are unable to cope, resulting in panic and various mental problems. This affects our body and then we begin to worry. It isn't easy to change a negative person as what they see and think are totally in the opposite to ours. The only thing we can do to help negative people is to strike a balance in our emotions. Life will start to make sense and will appreciate it.

Hi savypat, I've found that the only way is not to comment on negative statements.It isn't easy to spend a lot of time with such a person but your friend should be careful not to argue with her sister. Remaining calm is the only way. Blessings.

When I was working in offices I found that being relentlessly positive was the key to dealing with negativity. It takes a couple of weeks but people do change and become more positive. Typical conversation with a negative person would be a good morning and they'd say look at the rain. I'd say think of all the beautiful flowers that rain will make or well, you get your car washed for free today! Every negative statement or complaint I heard I would respond with a positive spin on it. It will probably be very hard to be positive with a sister who has knee surgery--it HURTS!! Maybe your friend can remind her sister of how much better she'll be getting around and the pain she feels then will be the last for a long, long time. She can walk around after it heals like everyone else with no walker or cane, more mobility, etc. She should think before she leaves about all the positive things about the situation, the weather, her sister, the hospital, etc. so she'll be ready. It's not easy to deal with negative people but they can definitely be re-trained with some concerted effort. They are always happier afterward, too. Good luck to your friend!!

Dear Savy, I think that anytime your friend's sister says something negative, your friend could say something positive in return.

I think that one of the most important things that people need to realize when they have to spend an extended amount of time with a person that is negative is that they realize that they cannot be around that person continuously. If you do stay around that person constantly they will really draw you down. In addition to that, the friend that is going to be taking care of her sister also has to remember to also do those things that she does enjoy even while she is taking care of her sister.