Rephrasing negative to positive statements.

Nannyp

I have noticed, maybe over the last 10 years, that a phrase has become quite common place which I think is not useful. I remember when I first heard it, I didn't like it, it felt too dramatic, and I hoped that it would die out as some phrases do.
Well today, I have realised it hasn't.
The phrase is,
"What a nightmare." and I see it and hear frequently and wonder why every bad situation must be described as such.
I imagine it as a pair of nightmare sunglasses, they stop you from seeing the good in any situation and paint a negative view of the world.
So..if you are one of those who use this phrase...is there something else you can replace it with? Some which acknowledges that the situation was not good, but also sees what was good.
I'm not sure I'm making sense, but hope I'm getting my point across.
If you see many of life's obstacles as nightmare's, life will give you more to look at.
:D

dingsy · Site Admin Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2106 Location: Devon

This is similair to a theme in a book I'm reading, which suggests that instead of saying, "I hope today will be ok", we should think, "I wonder if today will be ok".It goes on to say:

"Hoping can lead to a state of unhappiness if those hopes are dashed.It can create a fear of uncertainty, even if those hopes are eventually realised.
Wondering, on the other hand, doesn't result in unhappiness, as there are no hopes to be shattered. And with the magic of wondering, fear of the uncertain is replaced by curiosity".

Guest · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 8:00 am Post subject:

dingsy · Site Admin Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2106 Location: Devon

It's called, "Embracing Uncertainty", by Susan Jeffers. It's from the mobile library-Hec is next to read it, but if you're interested, then let her know and she can pass it on.

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

dingsy · Site Admin Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2106 Location: Devon

It's not convincing me either, I'm afraid. Finding it also very repetitive. Not sure it should necessarily be "today will be ok"-so many external factors govern that, over which at times we have little or no choice-so can see where she's coming from, up to a point.

Am getting a bit bogged down with it to be honest, so if you want me to pass it on now, p.m me your address and I'll post it out later today. I think I've possibly read enough to get her message!

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

Mmmmhh Maybe 'Today is as it will be'? - and I'll decide how I'll cope with it.

I love Susan Jeffers 'Feel the Fear' as a great early step in personal development but ohter books os here just seem to take one little aspect of that book and repeat it ad naseum in different ways. Publisher's know that she has a good name and just keep churning it out.

Nannyp · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:31 pm Post subject:

Blimey, I was feeling a bit profound here