Contagious

Have you ever had a friend, family member, colleague, or role model who is consistently upbeat and optimistic? Someone who walks into a room and immediately brings the vibes up?

What do you notice when you’re around them? In my experience, I feed off the energy and attitude they present and find myself becoming more positive. This still holds true even if I’m stressed, busy, and pessimistic.

For example, this week I met virtually with my team to complete an online assignment for one of my classes. After everyone joined the Zoom meeting, no one said anything for a whole minute, and man it was awkward.

It was obvious we were stressed out about this project and hesitant because this was our first meeting together.

I decided to turn on my camera and make a simple joke. Although it was arguably the worst joke ever uttered, within 15 seconds everyone had their cameras on and were unmuted, talking, laughing, and introducing themselves to one another.

What’s the point of this story?

The point is that feelings are contagious. Moods are contagious. Attitudes are contagious. Body language is contagious. Insert Blank is contagious.

Our group only needed one act of courage and optimism to be courageous and optimistic themselves.

As humans, we feed off others. If they are positive, we tend to lean that way. If they are negative, we tend to follow in their footsteps.

And in the same way, others feed off of you.

Almost every week, these newsletters have an underlying message that you can make a bigger difference than you think… and this week is no different.

Your actions, attitudes, and outlook will affect everyone you interact with, even if it’s subconsciously. In my opinion, that is pretty amazing.

So, my message this week is that you are contagious; I urge you to spread positivity, compassion, and love rather than negativity, heartlessness, and hate.

Keep making progress. Change for the better. Live the Heming-way.

Til next time,

Trevor

p.s. John 8:12