Hey, @allover.
Well, thank you for the kind words regarding what I've written. I do tend to post up and down those spectrums you mention, mainly because I like different topics and then, don't always have something strictly positive to say.
I keep bumping into the occasional post that claims we should be upbeat and positive. Well, sure. Ultimately, being hopeful and optimistic about the present and the future is the idea. But that doesn't mean that's where we are or always will be.
I guess I've just been thinking about those posts, mulling them over in the back of mind, and taking stock of my life and life in general. I'm concluding that while I don't want to be negative (I tend to think there are solutions and a way forward for everything—or at least most situations, but people need to see them and then be willing to work with the solutions), there has to be some of it, as you describe, in order to propel us forward.
As far as my life goes, there's plenty of positive things in it. I'm just back to another income related decision that I knew I would be at before I even found my current line of work, and being right about that doesn't really matter. I get know reward for foreseeing the future in that regard, not even personal satisfaction.
So, anyway, I keep on keeping on, thankful for the good things, knowing that the negative will somehow pass, and trying to steer myself and those I love through and along this journey we call life.
I'm of the thought that it is completely acceptable to show fragility, "weakness", not that your negativity is that per se, just that it is ok to present (outwardly) that one is struggling with certain concepts, situations, emotions, thoughts or feelings. I do not see it as weakness really, more as a strength - The strength of honesty to oneself to acknowledge and admit that fragility.
I'll be honest, those mindless be positive posts, or people, make me a little angry. They are insensitive and baseless because most often the author has no concept of what is being written, certainly not in context to the reader; Their writing simply can't take everyone's situation into consideration. These are the sort of people I referred to in my last comment, those perpetually positive people. I see them simply as people too afraid to acknowledge and accept (outwardly) that they just might not be ok. Seeing that, acknowledging that, is the first step to rectifying it. Of course some are there to help prop others up and there is a difference to positivity for the sake of it, and giving people tools to help them find their own.
Your negative feelings, most people's for that matter, will drive thought, and when that thought moves from self-pity, shame, despondency, or whatever, the next stage is (often) action - Of thought and then deed. This is what provides the impetus to move forward from that place of negativity. Of course, I am only speaking generally here.
Negativity, let's call it challenges, are an opportunity. I try very hard to make that change of thought as opportunity sounds more positive than challenge, or negativity. I try to focus on the reasons that a situation is untenable moving forward, the reasons why I need to make a change and from there start to look for solutions, small ones.
The reason those solutions are small is because I want to attain them, make them happen, and we all know that there's only one way to eat an elephant - one bite at a time. In attaining those small things I gain a feeling of satisfaction, success and progress and my attitude improves. Go again, and again, and all of a sudden the edges of those things start to touch and intertwine. Sure, I may still feel negative, but it is peppered with positive and therefore I'm more productive in the areas I wish to be...The positive ones. Eventually it sticks, for a time, until something else pulls me back. That's life.
A simple concept, but one that has worked well for me.
I also smile a lot. No, not walking around smiling like an idiot, just at people, when the circumstances permit. When I give and receive a genuine smile in return I feel better. I am more polite, more friendly...Just trying to draw the energy from it to help prop up my feelings. I call it zapping. Making someone else feel good is good for oneself. The best way to improve ones self esteem is to improve someone else's first.
It's like dark room...Light one candle and it gets a little lighter, someone may light another and it gets lighter still. Same with the process above.
It is very clear that you are an intelligent man, and that you have had success and failure, good and bad times in your life; We have all had similar. You may feel you are at a low point however what I also read is that you see the positive things, despite how you feel and the negative ones around you; That's a good start and puts your feet on the right path.
Have a great weekend.