Isn’t it funny how our society can change so quickly? We accept things quickly and run with them. Think about all the words and phrases we say now in our vocabulary that we didn’t say just 3 short years ago….
Contact tracing
Social distancing
Super spreader
Essential Workers
Flatten the Curve
Oh wait! I left my mask in the car!
….and the list goes on and on!
What about this? “Did you test positive?” Have you heard that? I guess when I think back, I only remember saying this when I asked if someone was pregnant. However, now we look at the question “Did you test positive?” as a huge negative situation that could affect everyone around us. This is what a pandemic can do and I hate it!! We whisper to the people around us, “Oh they were positive just last week” or “They seem sick, they should really go see if they test positive.”
Yes, I know that the definition of positive in the scientific world is “ a test result that shows a condition or sickness/disease,”(Www.cancer.gov) but it is changing what we think - HOW we should think, and that is sad to me.
Let’s look at just a few of the other definitions of the word positive:
*constructive, optimistic, or confident. Oxford Languages
*a good, affirmative, or constructive quality or attribute. Oxford Languages
*happy or hopeful, or giving cause for happiness or hope: www.Dictionary.cambridge.com
To me, the word POSITIVE is simply that - POSITIVE! Our society needs to start practicing “testing positive” again. Life gives us so many situations in which we can do this. When you are driving and someone cuts you off… are you testing positive? What do you do? What about in the grocery store and the person in front of you is having an issue and asking to speak to the manager… life is testing you! Are you positive or negative? If you have a tough day at work…. how are you when you get home? Or what about the coach that plays the kid over your kid - how do you react to him? There are sooooo many situations in life that test our attitude and responses. Simple question - Are you testing positive?
Oh, how I hope when people talk about me they say “ She is so positive!” and they don’t mean sick. I want to be the light for people and give hope and happiness to others! Let’s get back to that - focus on the good! That is exactly what I am going to do! We need to start practicing ‘testing positive” again. So from here on if someone asks me ,”Did you test positive?” I will be more than happy to say, “ You betcha buddy! EVERYDAY!”
What about you? What life situations test your positivity? How can you work on it? Have you found that you are a more negative person than you thought? How can you change that? Everyday this week, focus on situations that challenge you and write down the circumstances and how you “tested positive.” You got this! Good Luck!