The banality of ‘good morning’ posts and our positivity fixation

I woke up on the morning of 5 November to a pleasant surprise on Whats-App. There were less than 10 “good morning” messages with pictures of sunrises (or sunsets, who can tell?) accompanied by pious banalities. Most of the posts were on the United States presidential election results. At least on one day of the year, I had been spared the task of scrolling through 50 platitudes and deleting them.

“The success we see in someone else is the proof that it is possible for us too!” “My pain may be the reason for someone else’s laugh. But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody’s pain” (this one with a Charlie Chaplin picture). “May the shells on the beach remind you that treasures arrive every day in the form of simple things!” “There is always another chance for everything in life. But the fact is there is no chance of another life.” “Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already.” “Yesterday is the memory we made for today. So make today a good day to remember tomorrow.”

The ones involving God particularly get my goat. “God loves you. He will be there for you. He will make way for you. He will wipe away your tears.