Re-post from original Blog. October 15, 2010
Have you ever called up a friend and you were feeling fine, loving life and just happy because you are alive. Then by the time you got off the phone you felt just as depressed as the person you was talking too.. Well you was just hit with the "Virus", so now your walking around depressed, angry and all bent out of shape and you don't even know why.
Here's a better one. Do you have that certain friend that no matter what you tell them, they see the bad in everything or just talk about everyone for no reason. Never seeming to have a good word to say. Watch out because like I said it's very catchy. Next thing you know you are starting to gossip right along with them.
The best way to avoid contamination is to #1 Don't join their pity party. Immediately start talking about the positive things in life or change the subject completely. If you don't feed something It won't grow, believe it or not this person is seeking a reaction from you, so they can feed off of you. :-) #2 Flip the script. After they finished complaining, say now tell me something positive, they will probably not find you very attractive anymore lol.
Sometimes we have to look in the mirror. Do we feel valued by listening to others complain. Is this the way we feel needed. The best way to see if someone has the virus is to see how you feel after talking to them. Do you feel drained or annoyed. If so all you are doing is giving them your energy.
Last but not least, don't feel responsible for solving their problems.. Your not responsible for their life or negativity. Stop trying to help them fix their problem, that's not what they want.. They want your energy and your mind.