Post Two

"Tell me something good."

This simple, yet utterly complex, statement is apart of who I am; asking someone to "tell you something good" is indeed an action, but the act itself almost doubles as a personality trait of mine.

What do I mean by that? Well, for a few years now, I have asked those around me to "tell me something good." I do this for one of three reasons (maybe even a combination of all three): 1) I use it as a tactic to push people to think more positively. 2) I want to get to know someone, and what is better than asking them what they believe is good (it says a lot about who they are)? 3) When I am in a headspace where I can't see through the thick fog of gloom, I want to hear something good.

Most people wait patiently to hear someone say something heartening or avoid the people who wrap themselves in a cloak of pessimism, but I am not like that. I want to listen to the good, so I will blatantly ask for it. Some believe it is a beautiful trait, but some believe that asking to hear the good can come across as a little pushy or unnatural. It is a short sentence derived from four words. It is pithy and straightforward and includes the word "good" (one of the most overused words in the English language). The sentence is not hard to say or hard to understand, but it is hard to answer. Some people say what is on their minds—the simple joys. I get "puppies" and "ice cream" a lot as answers, and quite frankly, those answers are exceptional, but there are the people that think this statement is a test. "Tell me something good? Uhhhh, I don't know what kind of thing do you want me to say, Gwen?" I get this answer a lot too, and it fascinates me. A request to be positive can provoke a significant amount of stress rather than calmness or gratification—what a peculiar thought.

In boarding school and college, I would sit and listen to so many conversations about all the crap in the world. Whether it be a bad grade, a breakup, or just petty school gossip, the cynical conversation would count as "tea," and it would win over any conversation about anything remotely happy. Once COVID hit, the discussions at the breakfast table would revolve around the latest rise in stats and conversations with friends on FaceTime would basically be about the world's downfall. When these conversations take over, I find myself alone and comforted by the sheer pleasure of watching Harry Potter. Don't get me wrong, serious conversations must be had, and should never be avoided, but you can't just live your days focusing on what is horrible rather than beautiful.

"Tell me something good."

I swear I want to hear it. I don't care what you say because there is not a wrong answer. Anything that produces genuine healthy joy should not be deemed unfit. Tell me about your favorite TV shows and books. Talk about the food that makes you feel like a kid again or your favorite thing about sports. Tell me your favorite jokes and laugh with me about something stupid. Tell me something real. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it just will be perfectly imperfect. Be honest. Blurt something out. Don't think too hard; just say something.

"Tell me something good."

It was in January of 2018 when I first said those words. It was late at night, and I was staring at the blue and white stars on my ceiling from my galaxy projector. I was lying down next to someone I care a lot about, and we were both quiet. I wasn't ok. I can't remember all the specifics of what was wrong, but the combination of uncertainty and lack of self-esteem was consuming me. I wanted to hear something worth hearing, and I didn't want it coming from me, because everything seemed to be tainted with a touch of pessimism. I needed something pure and real. So sure enough, my four words came out, "Tell me something good." There was a long silence, but it wasn't filled with thinking. I knew she already had an answer.

"You."

To this day, I think about that "you." I questioned it for a long time. I loved the concept but didn't believe it to be true. I only recently have realized that we all have "good" in us. Our hopes, aspirations, loves, and dreams all should be counted as something "good." We are all valid, and what we care about matters, and who we choose to be and love is something worth value.

So if you ever ask me to "tell you something good." My answer is, "you." Because it is nothing but the truth, and you need to be reminded of that more often.

Wish on a dandelion for me,

G