No news is good news
By William R. Jones
You all know what good news and bad news are. What is good for one may be bad for another, and vice versa. You perhaps prefer the phrase, “No news is good news.”
One gentleman deduces that we look at the newspaper headlines to decide what we want to read or not read (or give our time to). But sometimes the headlines get it wrong, misleading us, you might say. And, after a bit of invested reading time, you realize that the article is not about what the attractive headline led you to believe. Perhaps, it is something like this piece, in which I've drawn you in covertly just to sneak in my opinion ― an opinion which I wish to put upon the population.
Here's the thing I wrestle with: what can I write or say that will make someone's thinking and day a bit better? When I read this particular column, I find that so many submissions do that. I wish to emulate those writers without borrowing their topics, but that's not easy.
Anyway, here goes. I'm glad you are around contributing good to our human existence and condition. You are a separate entity and distinguishable character essential to complete this complex whole world. You have purpose and meaning, or else you would not be here. So you see, you have won the lottery so to speak. There is only one of you ever ― ever ― in this world past, present and future. And, you must know this fact because not even identical twins are 100 percent genetically the same (cf. Nature Genetics, Vol 53, January 2021, Pgs. 27-34).
Without getting off track, thank you for being you. Joking with one friend, I said to him, "Don't be yourself; be someone better.” On that note, I put a good part of my energy toward becoming a better person. Upon observation, one may think, "He's a good guy." Well, I do say, “If you could read my mind” (as in Gordon Lightfoot's song), you wouldn't think so. Some unwanted thoughts linger and daydreaming inordinately appears (as in James Thurber's short story, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”). I am one of those human animals that needs to be reshaped and reorganized or remodeled and remade. And, I'm not so sure that is happening in the natural evolutionary sense. I wish to modify not only my thoughts, but my behavior.
Do I really want anyone else's opinion? I submit a resounding, “Yes!” That's one of the reasons we talk to people, but perhaps, we are really looking for agreement. The common greeting for example, "Good morning” ― do you agree with me that it is a good morning or are you just asserting a social amenity without the other party's affirmation?
Lastly, I thank you for reading my commentary. I wish I were better at having something to say to you. I leave you with this quote from a friend: “The technology of communication is ahead of what is being communicated.” Social media makes it possible for us to get in touch with strangers far away, but when we make contact, we often have nothing to tell each other. However, I will not be one who never told his love. I send to you from a distance my love and my wish that you have comfortableness.
The author (wrjones@vsu.edu) published the novella “Beyond Harvard” and presently teaches English as a second language.