Thankful: Negatives and Positives

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Zero negatives in life do not necessarily compute to a net positive.

How many people seemingly have nothing going wrong but still feel so empty?

In fact, mathematically speaking, if you’ve had more than three negatives in your life (and you’ve likely had innumerable negatives), you are net positive.

What is the cliche? A diamond in the rough; they’re shaped by pressure.

Maybe we (I?) should embrace the negatives.

For example, 11 negatives computes to a net positive of 4. How? If two negatives become a positive, the total sum is 5 minus 1. I’m in net positive territory, if I choose to believe it.

Our negatives have the potential to strengthen and embolden us. Over time, they solidify like clay and transmute us into something new entirely.

If this is true, it’s better to have a lot going wrong than to live in a painless vacuum.

Our negatives give us potential to change. They are what pave the trail ahead. And it’s better to journey forward than to languish in place.

I’m thankful for my negatives today, and the list runs far longer than the first things that sprout to mind:

  • For often feeling overlooked as a young age group swimmer.

  • For failing my first few leaps in ballet.

  • For all of my innumerable rejections, which span a wide gamut of endeavors and attempts.

  • For being told my first resume was crap during my first internship interview.

  • For being disliked at my first full-time job.

  • For being told my teaching was terrible in my first training school session.

  • For failing to get a presidential award at the middle school shuttle run.

  • For being out-touched at the finish in my final NCAA 200 yard freestyle race.

  • For being hit by a car and walking myself home on a torn ankle as adrenaline surged through me.

  • For dealing with any and all consequences of the things I’ve said that were wrong.

Each of these in some way led to a net positive.

Today I’m thankful for my failures and the people who were part of them. I’m also thankful I’m still around; I’m ready for the next adventure. And of course, I’m thankful for the positives, and the people who were a part of those!

And I’m thankful for you, because by reading you’ve shared a connection with me.