The upside of negative news

In major metropolitan cities, the radio traffic updates every 10 minutes are vital to commuters or anyone on their way to something. It’s great to hear that your particular route is ‘moving along nicely’ with ‘no major back-ups or delays.’ Which isn’t usually the case. 

There’s hardly any such thing as ‘rush hour’ anymore, either morning or evening, because it’s always pretty rough taking the highway to the city and back. Often, the familiar voice comes on saying ‘In a word, it’s horrible out there.’ And you wince.

So I’m driving along listening to news radio late yesterday when the update comes on and the traffic guy says “HUGE character builder on area expressways right now!”

And I smiled. That’s a great way to find the good in the bad, and make people lighten up a bit.

Then again…..I was a few blocks from home when I heard it.