If you are like me, you find it exhausting to scroll through social media. It is not because of the time it takes, but because of the overwhelming feeling of negativity expressed in this world. I just do not understand fighting negativity with more negativity. Unfortunately, there are people who I know personally, and have had to stop following because I am just too tired of hearing their negativity. I get it…your service was bad…you think this political leader is dumb…some random person, who you do not really know, wronged you in some way…the list goes on. I just do not understand this way of thinking. People make mistakes, some folks are even rude, but that does not mean we need to react in the same way. That does not mean we need to let those people control our attitude. I understand being frustrated in situations, but I do not understand taking it to the public to explain the “injustice” you feel was imposed upon you. Ok, sorry, this may feel like a little bit of a rant of my own…let us move on to the point and get a little more positive.

Earlier this week when scrolling through twitter, I saw this tweet from a colleague and it made me smile.

I’m on a mission to recognize great service and kindness. The staff at the HSBT clinic in Speedway are top notch! So kind.

— brennanART (@KrisBrennan3) November 6, 2017

What if we all behaved like this for a week? What if we took to social media on a mission to recognize the generosity and kindness of those around us, rather than tearing others down on a social media rant? What if we wrote more thank you notes to those who help or inspire us, rather than expecting people to do things for us? What if we spent our time sharing what we believe in, rather than what we are against in this world? What if…?

How would this impact our attitude if we took this challenge for one week? One month? A year? Permanently? I know you are only one person, and one person ending negativity on social media is like a drop in the bucket. But as Margaret Mead reminds us in one of my favorite quotes: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

What if, like me, someone else is inspired by your mission to be positive? What if that person inspires someone else, and so on? How far could this impact reach? How could it impact our community, our state, and our nation, if we all decided to make our public footprint one of positivity?

I sincerely hope you decide to take this challenge, even if it is only for a week. Use social media, or paper and pencil…whatever the medium, and share with the world what you believe in, not what you stand against. Maybe in that one week, your small act will create a ripple of positivity that could impact the world!