Expressing confidence not fully felt is something we often do for each other: “You’re qualified for that job and you have as good a chance as anyone.” “Don’t worry, we’ll find her.” “They caught the cancer early, that’s a good thing.” What if we were generally the opposite?
There are several things I don’t mean when I pose the question: I don’t mean humorous cynicism; I don’t mean “what-if” worrying; I don’t mean injecting a note of warning into a conversation that is over-optimistic.What if we reflexively tried to tell others – our children, our friends - they were less competent? That the odds were more against them than we believed? If we tried to cheer people down instead of cheer them up? What would happen?
I ask even those who seldom comment to try and put in a sentence or two on this. And if you wish to write at greater length, please do. Heck, write an entire essay if you want. I’m interested.
Well first of all, that already occurs...it's called having in-laws. (really, my in-laws are great)
ReplyDeletechild: "I really want to go on American Idol."
Mother: "Don't worry, I'm sure they won't humiliate you enough to put you on prime time."