Good News

While bad news is never fun to hear, all of us expect it from time to time because life would not be life without at least an occasional down or bump in the road. Negativity, after all, is as much apart of life as its counterpart: "positivity." While it goes without saying that all of us prefer having as much as good news in our lives as possible. it is understood that too much of that can give one a false sense of security or unrealistic portrait of the world. At the same time, too much negative news can almost by numbing and instill within our psyche a deep sense of depression. In other words, too much negative information or news can make it difficult for folks to function as well as they might otherwise.

Too much negativity can also have a noticeable impact on how one communicates, particular if one is constantly on the receiving end of criticism or complaints. Such a scenario discourages meaningful interaction. It can also trigger ill-feeling or resentment if one believes they are constantly out of favor with those around them. This is why, if one has to criticize another, they should try to frame their comments in the context of some sort of positive perspective. Let's be honest: all of us are sensitive creatures who need a pat on the back even when we deserve a slap on the wrist. When it comes to communicating, "pats" can help make one more receptive to "slaps."

With all this in-mind, I thought it might be fun to conclude this particular entry with a randomly-selected list of "good news" headlines that have appeared recently in the media: "2017 was a Record Year for Organ Donors;" "Boston Police Officer Drives Stranded Family Home to Maine;" "Hundreds Welcome 3rd Grader Back to School After Right With Cancer;" "Texas Teens Collect Car Loads of Donations for Women's Center;" "Syrian Boy Seen Gazing into a Gym Now Has a Lifetime Membership;" and "After 73 Years, Dog Tag Returned to Battle of Bulge Survivor."