Second Hand Negative

(Originally presented as a speech by Rick E. Meyer in Toastmasters in 2000 or 2001)

Have you received a multitude of warnings regarding the dangers of second-hand smoke? Some suggest our lungs fill with tar from second-hand smoke, as do the lungs of smokers. A plethora of studies, documents and discussions exist regarding the effects of second-hand smoke. I lack any desire or intention of picking-on those who smoke.  

When you or I associate with smokers, especially if we gather in a smoke-filled room, smoke saturates our clothes. The smoke-filled environment causes our eyes to redden, and the deepening and raspy sound of our vocal tonality. Enough exposure to smoke eventually causes our sense of smell to adapt, leading to eventually accepting the aroma of smoke as normal.

Those with whom we encounter after leaving the smoke-filled environment instantly sense the environmental effects of second-hand smoke. They instantly know we had been in a smoke-filled environment, they smell the smoke on our clothes, the see the redness in our eyes, and hear the deep, raspy tonality of our voice.

Even if we become accustomed to the smell, no longer noticing the effect on our clothes, eyes and voice, others still notice. It is nearly impossible to avoid the powerfully obvious effects of second-hand smoke.

The mention of second-hand smoke serves only illustrative purposes in this discussion. I believe another second-hand contaminate contains exponentially greater damaging effects than smoke—Second-hand Negative.

When we associate with negative people or gather in a room filled gossip and complaining, the negative begins infiltrating our attitude. Just like smoke, even if we become calloused to the effects, no longer sensing negative, the effects remain. As others detect our presence around smoke, they too detect our presence around negative.

What are the effects of second-hand negative? Our attitude diminishes, our eyes and smiles lose their optimistic sparkle. Our voice shifts from a cheerful tone to one of despair. The brief illustration of a negative person speaking—when presenting in a keynote or seminar—causes loss of optimism, and energy. The tar of negativity ruins our creativity, imagination, vision, encouragement, and optimism.

Those with whom we encounter instantly detect our previous association with second-hand negative. They hear negative tonality in our voice, see despair—at minimum they sense a lack of optimism—in our eyes and face. We lose our attractiveness—negative causes us to become unattractive. It is nearly impossible to avoid the powerfully obvious effects of second-hand negative.

The effects second-hand negative hinder our physical and emotional health in real ways. Negative emotions significantly impact the secretion of neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters affect:

1. Appetite
2. Cardiovascular System
3. Control of Muscles
4. Immune System
5. Injury Recovery
6. Motivation

Moreover, stress from anxiety or depression causes the excessive release of cortisol, which can potentially destroy our immune system over time.

To avoid second-hand smoke saturating my clothes, causing them to stink, along with my eyes reddening and my voice becoming raspy, I now remain outside of smoky environments. If I open the door to a smoke filled room, I immediately shut it and go elsewhere.

When you and I recognize the detrimental effects of second-hand negative—literally and figuratively—we will close every door leading to rooms filled with negativity. You and I will immediately go elsewhere.

Shut the door to negative associations!

Regain, restore, replenish the attractive sparkle in your eyes, smile and voice. Strengthen your creativity, imagination, vision, encouragement, and optimism. Strengthen your physical and emotional health.

Avoid second-hand negative!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

Since the original presentation of this topic, an excellent book published explaining the effects of negativity. I highly recommend: Mathias, Art Ph.D. In His Own Image. Anchorage, AK: Wellspring Publishing, 2003.