A commonly asked questions in coaching sessions is “What do I do with the negative people in my life?”

I’m not sure I’m overly qualified in a practical sense as I often get the urge to let ‘em have it - but I understand the theory and am getting better at applying it.

Ask yourself what is in it for them.
What drives this negativity?
What do they get out of it?
Are they protecting themselves from what feels like a scary world?
What wound are they shielding?

Reflect their statements back to them.
So what you are saying is…
Do I understand you correctly in as much as you think…
Is that what works for you…

Get them off the recorded message and into their own reality.
How does it make you feel that everyone is so…
What do you wish you could do about…
And what you did was…

Most of the above fits into the slot we call becoming the observer. When you stand outside a situation and describe what you see - you prevent yourself participating in it.

THAT leaves you free to choose how you want to feel bout it.
CHOOSING how you feel is the ultimate freedom.