People who constantly think negatively are slaves to their minds. Thoughts are vital for a good state of mind and well-being. People's thoughts lead them to think in a particular way based on what they have seen and the experiences they have had. Although everyone has, at different times in their lives, experienced negativity, criticism, and mistreatment, excessive negative thoughts and opinions about a particular topic or experience are bad and harmful. It is bad to constantly and harshly criticize anything, because people who do this do not see any other options. They do not accept the opinions of others and remain convinced that only they are right. Eventually, these people reject others and hurt others, making those around them feel bad about themselves. Very often, these people alienate those around them and find themselves alone and as unhappy as they make others feel. The results of harsh and constant criticism are serious and affect people differently. For example, very critical people are very narrow-minded and do not listen to reason. People who are constantly criticized may respond by constantly thinking negatively about themselves. They have negative opinions of themselves and others, and it doesn't stop there. People who feel constantly criticized may also criticize everything and everyone around them. They can choose to go their own way because they govern and it is their way or the highway. They don't realize they have done wrong when they crash and burn, but they continue to blame others because they think they have no other options. The longer the harsh criticism continues, the more people lose sight of everything positive in their lives. People who are slaves to their negative thoughts are selfish, very self-centered... middle of paper... his life. He even realized that he could also help free the minds of other slaves by teaching them to read. Once Douglass broke the trap that held him captive, he became a more powerful person because his knowledge and courage to maintain a positive attitude replaced a life of discouragement and sadness. He was able to think and find solutions to all the miseries in his life. He even bought his freedom and was able to express himself by speaking and writing. The most powerful thing he did was continue to learn so he could stand up for himself and speak for others who were still suffering like he was. Frederick Douglass's ambition to escape the bondage of negative thinking paid off. He became a free man, capable of clearly expressing the evils of slavery and improving the future of black slaves who had suffered as much as he had for many years...