Why be negative when you can enjoy life and be positive? That's
Why be negative when you can enjoy life and be positive? That's something I learned over the years.
Hear the words of Virgil van Dijk, a warrior of the modern field, whose battles are not waged with sword and shield, but with discipline, endurance, and the fire of spirit: “Why be negative when you can enjoy life and be positive? That’s something I learned over the years.” These words echo with the wisdom of experience, a wisdom that does not come swiftly, but only through long journeys of trial and growth. They are a call to reject the poison of bitterness and to embrace the sacred duty of joy, to live not as one bowed under the weight of shadows, but as one who walks in the light.
To be negative is to dwell in the realm of shadows, where every challenge is magnified into despair and every failure becomes a prison. Negativity drains the spirit, blinds the eyes to beauty, and shackles the will to act. Yet, van Dijk’s words remind us that this choice is not forced upon us. For beside the path of negativity lies another—the way of the positive, where difficulties are seen as lessons, victories as blessings, and each day as an opportunity to rise anew. Why choose the chains of despair when the gates of joy stand open?
The ancients, too, spoke of this path. The Stoics taught that while the world may deal us hardship, our minds remain free to interpret it as curse or blessing. Marcus Aurelius, emperor and philosopher, wrote in his meditations: “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” The Buddha spoke similarly, declaring that suffering is shaped by the mind’s grasp, and liberation comes when the mind learns to let go. Van Dijk’s wisdom is thus not new, but a continuation of eternal teaching: to enjoy life, one must govern the inner world, not surrender it.
History itself offers luminous testimony. Consider Viktor Frankl, who endured the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. Surrounded by death and despair, he could have sunk into bitterness. Instead, he clung to the positive, finding meaning even in suffering. He wrote, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” His choice did not erase pain, but it gave him the strength to endure and to inspire countless others. This is the very spirit of van Dijk’s lesson: positivity is not denial, but defiance in the face of darkness.
Yet van Dijk adds something deeply human: “That’s something I learned over the years.” This confession is important, for it reminds us that positivity is not always natural. Many begin their journey with negativity, focusing on what is lacking, what is painful, what has gone wrong. Only through time, reflection, and perseverance does one learn that negativity yields nothing but emptiness, while positivity yields strength, hope, and joy. His wisdom is thus not an abstract ideal, but the fruit of experience, made real by the struggles of life and sport alike.
The lesson for us is clear: each day, we are offered a choice between negativity and positivity. Though the world may wound us, though trials may come, it is within our power to choose which path to walk. Negativity will always tempt us, whispering its false comfort of complaint. But positivity offers a greater prize: the ability to enjoy life, to see beauty in the midst of struggle, and to find strength where others find defeat.
Practical steps flow from this wisdom. Begin each day by seeking gratitude for small blessings—the warmth of light, the breath in your lungs, the chance to act again. When setbacks come, pause and ask: What lesson hides here? What strength can I draw from this? Surround yourself with those who uplift, not those who drag you down. And when the voice of negativity rises, answer it with deliberate acts of positivity—kindness, perseverance, and joy. In this way, you cultivate the discipline of light.
So remember van Dijk’s counsel: “Why be negative when you can enjoy life and be positive?” Let it ring within you as a challenge and a promise. For life is short, and its trials are many, but the mind that clings to joy will find strength to endure, while the mind that sinks into shadows will wither. Choose positivity, and you will not only enjoy life—you will inspire others to rise with you, leaving behind a legacy of light in a world too often clouded with despair.
MH10SN-09- Phan Vu Minh Hang
I appreciate the encouragement to focus on positivity, but it prompts me to ask: how do cultural, social, or environmental factors influence one’s ability to maintain a positive outlook? Is it easier for some people than others? I’d like to discuss practical ways to nurture positivity in environments filled with stress, criticism, or adversity, and how small daily practices might cumulatively enhance happiness and resilience.
AAAnh Anh
The quote makes me reflect on how personal growth often comes from experience. I’m curious whether Virgil van Dijk developed this outlook through overcoming setbacks, both personally and professionally. How much of positivity is a conscious choice versus something learned from life’s lessons? I’d like to explore stories of people who transitioned from negativity to a more optimistic approach and the impact it had on their overall well-being.
BBma banh bao
This perspective emphasizes the joy of life, but it raises the question: can striving for positivity unintentionally lead to denial of problems or suppression of emotions? I’d like to explore how one can cultivate a genuinely positive outlook without ignoring challenges, and whether there’s a balance between embracing life’s enjoyment and addressing necessary difficulties realistically.
UGUser Google
Reading this, I feel inspired, but I also question how someone can shift from a negative mindset to a positive one if they’ve been stuck in negativity for years. Are there specific strategies, routines, or thought exercises that make this transition more attainable? I’d like to discuss whether positivity is a learned skill or a natural disposition, and how people can reinforce it consistently in everyday life.
TKNguyen Trung Kien
This quote is simple yet thought-provoking, but it makes me wonder about the challenges of maintaining positivity consistently. Are there circumstances where being positive might not be realistic or even helpful? I’d like to explore how one balances optimism with acknowledging real difficulties, and whether developing a habit of positivity can actually influence mental health, decision-making, and relationships over time.