Positive outlook can make life much easier

IN a bewildering and rapidly changing world, people have come up with different strategies to cope. “Be positive” is the new mantra.

If something is upsetting, block it out, or give it a positive twist. It won’t go away, but the memory will fade and it takes the sting out of it. The world will suddenly seem more attractive.

Being positive won’t change the world, but it will change your perspective. The more negative in our community will accuse you of fooling yourself, but it’s much better than being miserable.

The Churches are giving a lead here. People don’t mind a mild rebuke: they want to be told they’re good, but could be better. Churches are beginning to understand this and tap into the public mood.

In the field of politics, initially there was a negative response to the Brexit proposals, but this has been toned down. Those who believed the border had shifted and we now have joint authority are now putting a more positive spin on it.

The beauty of all this — the genius of it — is, whatever you think, you could be right: so, be positive.

In time, truth will out. Our friends on the mainland have introduced laws promoting abortion and same-sex marriage, but if you want to be positive you could argue it’s a small price to pay for being British.

It brings us into line with the rest of the UK and it strengthens the Union. Many would see this as a step forward.

There is nothing wrong with being positive. But we need to be careful it doesn’t blind us to the truth. Then, some would say truth is what you make it. It can stir up division and no one wants that: it once nailed a man to a cross.

CLIVE MAXWELL Bleary, Co Armagh