Aurora, Colorado leaves a negative impact, but the brain can overcome.

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If life was so easy, we’d all have cause to celebrate, but it isn’t. It’s difficult to overcome the effect of negative influences, but it is not impossible.

Have you ever wondered why your eyes and thoughts are drawn to negative events or situations—blood and guts, dog poo, slime, death, or extremely disgusting images? I turned to a few different articles in search of information.

 In an article, “Bad Is Stronger Than Good,” by Roy Baumeister, E.Bratslavsky, C.Finkenauer, and K.Vohs, this all gets explained.  According to the article, our brains are programmed to record negative events first and foremost in order to keep us safe. As a result, it takes several good events to offset or negate the impact of one negative event:

The greater power of bad events over good ones is found in everyday events, major life events (e.g., trauma), close relationship outcomes, social network patterns, interpersonal interactions, and learning processes.  Bad emotions, bad parents, and bad feedback have more impact than good ones, and bad information is processed more thoroughly than good. The self is more motivated to avoid bad self-definitions than to pursue good ones.  Bad impressions and bad stereotypes are quicker to form and more resistant to disconfirmation than good ones.

The article continues by explaining the other side of the brain’s capacity which includes its ability to adapt, overcome negativity, and create happiness.  This is difficult for some, but it’s never impossible.  The brain wants to do what we want it to do, so if we want to be happy, with a little work our brain is able to accommodate us.

The recent tragic event in Colorado and such assaults throughout the world; recent assaults on our military personnel and on some of our city streets can have lasting effects. The trick is to attack negativity head on as soon as possible. Talk about feelings, express emotions, and avoid PTSD, which can lead to depression, that invisible illness that sneaks in to destroy lives.

Some people who were in the theater in Aurora, Colorado that night will need immediate psychological attention, and while some will easily overcome the effects of the trauma, others need to work for emotional stability. They need to focus on ways to regain their self-assurance and trust, and they need to insist on happiness. It can be done.