Let’s lose the doom and gloom for a week...

RECENTLY, my brother and I were chatting about how much doom and gloom there is in the country. We both agreed that we are sick of it. We said ‘imagine if the Irish were like the Americans — always saying how awesome things are’ and so on?

We Irish have a sense of cynicism like no other. Even at school we tend to think, when someone gets a high A ‘oh look at her studying away who does she think she is?’. In America they would be all ‘yeah you go, girlfriend’.

So what is wrong with us? Watch the newspaper stands when people pick up random papers — they immediately focus on some negative story and mumble to themselves ‘sure God help them the craytors’. Is it the newspaper’s fault for constantly throwing ‘CRISIS’ across their front pages?

Or is it just the way we are? Do we always think negatively straight away? Take Bono, for example, whenever the guy does anything, all we ever shout is ‘TAX EXILE’. Give him a break.

That’s why I believe there should be some form of positivity week. No Prime Time proclaiming how broke we are, no RTÉ sad news story, nothing, just a week where we hear some inspiring stories about positivity.

It is known that positive thinkers are attracted to other people who are happy, think positive and look forward to life. It is essential we find people who share positive thoughts. Life is hard enough with our own problems and we don’t need to let someone who refuses to see the bright side of life bring us down.

Did you know that positive thinking can add roughly seven-and-a-half years to your life? If you’re like me and would love to be 100, I’m sure having a positive attitude can help you on your way.

Mental stress and anxiety have an obvious effect on the immune and endocrine systems, which in turn affect all manner of wellness.

Research in young adults has shown that the happier a person is, the less likely they are to become ill, and the quicker they recover from illnesses. Positive mood states, emotion and satisfaction appear to be strongly linked with good physical health.

People have come up with crazy ideas for The Gathering, I’m shocked no one came up with a day or a week of positivity.

Imagine, everyone you see on the street smiling and saluting you and acknowledging that life is good. As musician and legend John Lennon once said ‘"Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears."