It’s crazy to think about. Whether at the office, at home, or even at a social event, one person’s demeanor often sets the tone and determines the atmosphere for all.
When the strongest personality or one in authority is struck with negativity, their bad mood can be like a super bug. It is likely to infect everyone they come in contact with and the recovery process can be terribly difficult. It takes some super supplements to ward off the infection! I wish there were a pill that gave us mood immunity, but it takes a lot more effort than popping a pill!
I never liked the word ‘boundaries.’ For some reason it had a negative connotation in my mind, until I realized that it was my lack of them that was causing me to have low immunity to other’s moods. Now that I’ve accepted that they are necessary, I like to think of them like the outer walls and foundation of a structure. Before anyone creates boundaries for themselves it’s a good idea to think about, and plan what they want it (their life) to look like just as you would do if you were building a building. If a responsible builder knows he is in an earthquake zone he plans accordingly. If I know that a family member, co-worker or friend has been smitten with the bad mood bug I must plan accordingly.
One of the main pieces of the frame of my life has been a determination to build it in such a way that it is unshakable. Like an earthquake proof building I’ve withstood most of the storms of life, but there’s been more damage that needed repair by people in bad moods than I’d like! Bad mood immunity is one type of storm that, for me, takes constant reinforcement. I’ve had to figure out what kinds of supplements keep my boundaries strong. It’s taken effort and perseverance to figure out what I need.
If your immune system is weak when it comes to being in contact with people in bad moods, I challenge you to do the work. Figure out which boundaries need strengthening and then get yourself the right supplements to keep them strong.
Fortunately the Bad Mood bug is NOT a super bug. The antidote has just not been discovered by all.