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Is it wrong to share good news right now?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

I just read a LinkedIn post saying that it would be wrong for the news media to share any good news right now. The writer said that this is no different than 911 and other disasters – and that when people are suffering it’s insensitive and awful to share good news.

I don’t agree.

It would be insensitive to throw a huge celebration, but I think people who are worried, afraid,Is it wrong to find a reason to feel good? and in pain need to have a little light shining somewhere – telling them that there is still some good in the world.

Stories of people helping people come to mind. So do stories of people rescuing abandoned pets and endangered wildlife.

When Australia was burning, our hearts went out to those who were losing everything. But it still felt good to see stories of people caring for orphaned Koala bears.

Since there still are many other life-threatening diseases in the world, is it wrong to celebrate when someone is cured?

For that matter, is it wrong to be glad when someone survives the Coronavirus? Is it wrong to feel good when someone survives a terrible accident?

And, is it wrong for parents, friends, and family to celebrate the healthy birth of a child?

Beyond that, it’s my belief that constant worry is a detriment to health. I think we actually need some good news to offset the bad.

Do you agree – or do you think I’m simply insensitive?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Comments (61)

Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Barbara Todaro Yes, this will be a long haul. For our own mental and physical health, we should do our best to get through it with the best humor possible.

Kat Palmiotti Gloom creates more gloom - leading to depression and lack of productivity, which leads to even more gloom and depression.

Apr 13, 2020 04:29 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thanks Kristin Johnston - REALTOR® 

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® I do believe fear and worry can make a person sick. And I say "No thank  you" to that!

Apr 13, 2020 04:31 PM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good news always needs to be shared Marte Cliff 

Maybe we need to start a professional worriers org. for a $5 fee we'll do all your worrying for you. lol

Apr 15, 2020 10:51 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Doug Dawes There's an idea. You start it and I'll help spread the word.

Seriously, worry is a destructive emotion. That alone can mke a person ill - so it should be contained.

Apr 15, 2020 11:21 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Marte:

I so agree! We are besieged by bad news everywhere we turn, especially these days. Sharing some good news is a positive way to help people hopefully feel a little less troubled, perhaps for a moment forget about the bad, and feel good about the world.

And don't lots of people gripe that all the media reports is bad news?

Yes, one has to be sensitive to what's being reported but that can be done, especially with the right lead-in to the story!

Jeff

Apr 15, 2020 03:19 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jeff Dowler, CRS Feeling good and even sharing a laugh are healthy things to do. I say we need to look for the good news. The bad will always be there waiting for us!

Apr 15, 2020 03:33 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Amen and Amen. Want some Good News, just finished watching the No Spin News at Bill O'Reilly.com and learned that almost all of our nations newspapers are closing or will be closing, so the doom and gloom and if it doesn't bleed, you  won't read it will be extinct. Great post.

Apr 15, 2020 06:54 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Kimo Jarrett Unfortunately, their Internet counterparts will still be gushing doom and gloom.

I miss our newspaper. It was always a bit too far left for me, but had some columnists I enjoyed. And of course - I like reading the funnies, the horoscope, and the "Dear Abby" type columns.

First they dropped one columnist after another. Then they cut the letters to the editor down to nearly nothing. Then they stopped rural delivery. While we3 once paid $12 per month for delivery 7 days a week, we were paying $1 each time we were in town and made the purchase. Sunday, which was nothing but ads, was $2.50.

Then the daily newspaper went to $ 1.50. We grumbled, but still made the purchase once or twice a week - while the pages were fewer and fewer. Now - On a good day there are 16-20 pages and they want $2 for it. No thanks.

It doesn't surprise me that they're going out of business.

Apr 15, 2020 07:40 PM
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

The characters of the hit TV show MASH used humor and pranks to help cope with the realities of harsh conditions, combat injuries, and death during wartime.

Bob Hope and his USO troupe entertained combat troops for many years with comedy and beautiful women to boost morale.  Here is a video clip of one of his USO shows from WWII, August 1944, in the South Pacific.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2CD2MXSTTU 

The enemies of our country also broadcast negative radio programs and propaganda designed to increase fear, doubt, worry, sadness, hopelessness and hurt morale.

Apr 15, 2020 09:29 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jerry Lucas Yes! Everyone needs a morale boost when things are bad.

And I wonder - with regard to spreading fear, worry, etc. - is that what we're seeing right now? We know now that the "death numbers" are false. Because of the way they're reported, we'll never know how many lives this virus claims.

Apr 16, 2020 07:22 AM
Marie Story
Coldwell Banker - Pinecrest (Miami) - Pinecrest, FL
Broker Associate, Pinecrest (Miami) Specialist

I believe we should celebrate EVERY bit of happiness that comes our way 

 

Apr 16, 2020 11:28 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Marie Story I'm with you 100% on that!

Apr 16, 2020 11:45 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

100% agree that we all need something that represents positivity.  Great post and a reminder to work toward positivity!

Apr 20, 2020 11:30 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I agree with you Marti--I very deliberately don't read all the doom and gloom articles that pop up every day. try to focus on the positive stories while staying informed.

Apr 20, 2020 05:21 PM
Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL
Joe Manausa Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee Real Estate

Amen Marte Cliff ! You summarized this perfectly.

Apr 25, 2020 03:36 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jan Green No matter what else is happening, if we look for something positive, we can find it. And I believe we need it.

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR I seldom look at the TV and I've been deleting most of the email. I don't need doom and gloom, and since there's nothing I can do to solve any of these problems, I don't need to dwell on them.

 

Apr 25, 2020 07:38 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thank you Joe Manausa. Keep smiling!

Apr 25, 2020 07:38 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Marte Cliff  No, you are not being insensitive!  One of my clients was having a ZOOM surprise baby shower today. And there was a celebration. I like to watch the Good News App.

Apr 25, 2020 06:15 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 That sounds interesting! I'll bet the new mom was thrilled.

Good news is always welcome - at my house and in my computer!

Apr 25, 2020 07:27 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh my gosh, NO! It is NOT wrong to share good news right now, Marte. In fact, Ray and I are enjoying watching silly little sitcoms and funny YouTube videos together every single day & night.

Laughter is absoutely the best medicine and the minute that I realized I needed to sign off on the coronavirus news each day, I felt physically better. 

I agree with you 100%!!

Apr 28, 2020 07:03 AM