I really liked this anecdote attributed to Socrates -- which I came across in the book "The Attractor Factor" by Joe Vitale -- about avoiding the poison of negative news and gossip. Please don't feel like I'm translating this direct from the original Greek -- I'm paraphrasing.
One day a man ran up to Socrates, shouting to him: "I've got some mind-blowing news to tell you!"
Socrates held up his hand calmly and interrupted the man:
"This sounds cool, but I have three questions to ask you before you impart this news to me."
