This week, I lost my voice completely.

Ironically, this occured at a time when I received some negative backlash. A small game of Chinese Whispers. Playground politics. This got me thinking about how I handle negativity.

My instant response is to get upset and see negativity as an attack, which makes me want to react.

This is the way that I used to deal with all of my problems, resulting in a rapidly escalating table tennis match of reactions, drama and negativity. I’m guessing, on some level, most people can relate to this.

Losing my voice while being somewhat of a yoga philosophy geek, got me thinking about the sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and how it relates to negativity.

When we hear something we don’t like, it’s easy to react and respond with words or actions, rather than seeing it as an opportunity to retreat and look within.

I might not like what has been said, but what is it teaching me?

Is there any truth in it?

Why am I attached to what has been said?

What does it say about my ego?

Why am I so attached to the acceptances and reassurance of others?

What can I learn from this experience?

What does it reflect back about me and the way I see myself?

I can still be quite insecure and can doubt myself, which is something to work on.

I’m not saying that it’s as easy as just letting go of everything that has been said to hurt us.

Action steps to combat negativity:

1. Respond, don’t react. This is something my grandma constantly told me. When you hear something you don’t like withdraw your senses. Look within and practice stillness for just a moment.

2. Observe what has been said and your reaction. Is there any truth in it? What can you learn from it? And what does it reflect about you and your journey?

3. Practice forgiveness. Forgive others, but most importantly, forgive yourself. It’s okay to get upset. We’re all on a journey.

4. Let it go! Why hold on to it any longer than you have to? If something doesn’t serve you remove yourself from it.

5. Put back out there what you want to attract. Like attracts like, so hatred only breeds hatred. Respond with kindness and manifest what it is you want to receive and who it is you want to be.

A story: There are two wolves inside of our mind. One represents love and the other represents hatred. Which one wins?

Whichever one we choose to feed.

~

Relephant Read:

Cult of Negativity

~

Author: Rebecca Hannah

Apprentice Editor: Keeley Milne/ Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo Credit: Flickr, courtesy of author

~

Facebook is in talks with major corporate media about pulling their content into FB, leaving other sites to wither or pay up if we want to connect with you, our readers. Want to stay connected before the curtain drops? Sign up for our curated, quality newsletters below.