Emma Wilkins in her Guardian essay "I witnessed an extraordinary act of kindness. What if altruism is more common than we think?" comments on the evolutionary pressure to worry about the negative, and suggests instead:

Maybe no one’s even noticed the flaw that, when you look in the mirror, is the only thing you see. Maybe you could have got that job; maybe you will. Maybe that new neighbour would like to be your friend. Maybe that date will call you back.

And maybe there’s still hope for the planet. Maybe some leaders do care; maybe we can make a difference. Maybe even little things – realising we might often be wrong; paying more attention to good news; making a point of sharing it – will help.

...

Why not remind ourselves that, for all of the bad that’s in the world and in the news, behind the scenes, in people’s ordinary lives, lie untold stories of extraordinary good.

(cf Find the Beauty (2011-04-03), Mantra - Stop, Notice, Appreciate (2016-04-03), Stand by You (2017-01-11), See the Good in Others (2018-01-02), ...) - ^z - 2022-12-24