--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Positivity can be a negative,\" I tell…" description: "\"“Positivity can be a negative,\" I tell her, \"if it's used to diminish events that should be cause for concern. Saying 'bad things happen to good people..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/jane-devin-41541_bad-thing_positivity-can-be-a-negative-i-tell-her_559845.jpg" --- # Positivity can be a negative," I tell her, "if it's used… ![“Positivity can be a negative," I tell her, "if it's used to diminish events that should be cause for concern. Saying 'bad things happen to good people' or "God doesn't give anyone more than they can handle', for instance, isn't necessarily helpful to the person to whom something bad happened--it…” quote by Jane Devin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/jane-devin-41541_bad-thing_positivity-can-be-a-negative-i-tell-her_559845.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/jane-devin-41541_bad-thing_positivity-can-be-a-negative-i-tell-her_559845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/jane-devin-41541_bad-thing_positivity-can-be-a-negative-i-tell-her_559845.jpg) > ““Positivity can be a negative," I tell her, "if it's used to diminish events that should be cause for concern. Saying 'bad things happen to good people' or "God doesn't give anyone more than they can handle', for instance, isn't necessarily helpful to the person to whom something bad happened--it is much more beneficial to those who wish to be dismissive- who don't really care to think about the why or how or who. And if we cease to see the real human part in events--if instead, we relegate human experiences to some sort of mystical concept like karma, destiny or everything happens for a reason, and consider more realistic views to be negative--then we diminish compassion and empathy, as well as the possibility of positive change.”” [Jane Devin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-devin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overusing positivity can dismiss real suffering, reducing empathy and hindering genuine coping. **In simple terms:** Excessive positivity can invalidate real pain and limit compassion. Key Takeaway Balance optimism with realistic empathy. Themes positivity empathy compassion realism Mood empathetic serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - grief counseling - medical support - personal setbacks - social media discourse Key Concepts psychology philosophy mental health Questions to Reflect On - When does positivity become harmful? - How can you acknowledge pain while staying hopeful? A Different Perspective Blind optimism may prevent addressing underlying issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-thing/) [Bad things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-things/) [Bad things happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-things-happen/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion and empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-and-empathy/) [Diminish Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diminish-compassion-4643233/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Good people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) [Happens for a reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens-for-a-reason/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Positive change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-change/) [Positivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positivity/) [Positivity Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positivity-negative-1253058/) [Realistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realistic/) [Things happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-happen/) [Things Happen To Good People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-happen-to-good-people/) [Views Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views-negative-1152774/) ## Related quotes > [“A leader does not reduce his speeds to meet the views of negative thinkers. 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