I don't know why some people are Prophets of Doom. This is the title I've given to people who seem to enjoy getting attention by saying the most exaggeratingly negative thing possible, and scaring the life out of those who are innocent enough not to recognize that the person is simply a Prophet of Doom. Case in point: this woman in my water aerobics class Monday night. Right in the middle of the cardio portion, (which I might add, if you are doing correctly you can barely catch your breath, let alone prophesize doom), she suddenly bursts out with the announcement that, "It's going to snow tomorrow night and it's not supposed to stop until Saturday!" Naturally, this dramatic statement was met with some disbelief, "Get out!" replied the instructor, "it is not." At which point the woman insisted that "yes it is, we're supposed to get a blizzard for the next four days! I saw it on the news!" Well we did get a good deal of snow last night and it IS still snowing now - light fluffy flakes that aren't sticking to the bare roads. Obviously the Prophet of Doom was misinformed (as they so often are).

I just don't understand why some people would choose to be negative. When I was in college I was very vulnerable to listening to that kind of negativity and becoming quite upset by sensationalist, embellished tales of catastrophe. I guess some people enjoy having that effect on people. Personally I think it's unhealthy and unnecessary. Sure, there's a slim chance that disaster may strike at any moment, but do you really want to spend your time worrying about it and hashing out all of the dramatic possibilities? No, I didn't think so. Next time you hear a Prophet of Doom nearby trying to make some ridiculous proclamation, just tell them that no one likes to be around such naysayers, and you refuse to listen to them. Stick your tounge out at them if you have to. Anything to show them that you are not listening to a word of it.  ¶ 5:17 PM