The encouragement to stay positive comes from many quarters. My new favorite philosopher, Ted Lasso, is an embodiment of that school of thought. These days in America, it is increasingly difficult to stay positive, yet we must do that for ourselves and others.
It is political ad season, and that means vicious and misleading attack ads fill the airwaves and social media. When I was young, political ads generally featured the attributes of the candidate being promoted. Over the years, the ads have almost completely gone to misleading and downright untruthful assertions about the other candidate. Graphics are displayed to make the other candidate look like a monster. I know that my readers have experienced this as well.
Well, I try to stay positive by simply turning off negative ads. I already know for whom I am voting, and those ridiculous commercials will not convince me. I keep up with news from many sources, so I need not rely upon one slanted source. Heaven knows I would never believe what those dreadful campaign ads say.
So, to maintain my own sense of agency, and my own idea of standards about how people should be treated, I simply change the channel or mute the TV when those images appear. It gives me a sense of control. I need not be subjected to such negativity, so I control what comes into my space.
Don’t get me wrong, both political parties are at fault- they are equal opportunity offenders. However, I don’t have to participate, and I will not do so. This is my little act of positive rebellion over the current political atmosphere.
Stay positive, my friends!
