According to author and leadership consultant Simon Sinek, our brains don’t understand the concept of negativity. For example, giving a negative command to yourself, “Don’t think of elephants!” doesn’t mean you don’t think about elephants; instead, it emphasizes thinking about elephants. It means that “do this!” rather than a negative command of “don’t do it!” leads to a behavior-oriented change in humans. If you use negative expressions when asking or begging someone, you are likely to be rejected or fail. “Eat at the table!” is more likely to result in cleaning the house than “Don’t eat on the sofa!” - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Jesus taught, “If you got slapped your right cheek, turn the other cheek.” One of the actions that the Jewish Qumran community denied and forbade was “pointing with the left hand.” Violations of this rule brought sanctions from the community. To hit the right cheek means the opponent strikes with an unclean left or right backhand. This cheek slap is deliberately insulting and humiliating rather than merely a pain-inflicting action. Therefore, this teaching of Jesus, “turn the other cheek,” suggests not allowing oneself to be struck by the back of the hand and can signify not being helpless but being active in nonviolent resistance without seeking revenge or retaliation. Perhaps this teaching carries a frightening meaning. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”