Good News, Bad News, Who Can Tell?

The Pandemic Reveals Wisdom

by Don Worth Ph.D.


Formats

E-Book
$9.99
Hardcover
$35.95
Softcover
$17.99
E-Book
$9.99

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 11/6/2022

Format : E-Book
Dimensions : N/A
Page Count : 268
ISBN : 9781665730723
Format : Hardcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 268
ISBN : 9781665730709
Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 268
ISBN : 9781665730716

About the Book

The title of this book comes from an ancient parable about a farmer who, when greeted with fortune or misfortune has the same retort: “Good news, bad news, who can tell?” The parable provides some simple wisdom in approaching turbulence and catastrophe in life, such as living through a pandemic. This book offers a variety of touching stories, lyrics, and poems written by people who represent nine categories of those on the frontlines of the pandemic (educators, COVID survivors, artists, clergy, those who lost loved ones, students, physicians, restauranteurs, and journalists) from the U.S. and India, regarding experiences, lessons and wisdom they acquired. A novel interpretation of the parable is presented as well as a framing (a figure 8) that provides some perspective and guidance as we move through the various trials and tribulations of life, and through challenges of mental illness and substance use. There is also a chapter “signs of the times” which showcases a variety of creative and amusing signs that were all around us during the pandemic. Even some clever bathroom signs. The summary outlines lessons learned and wisdom gained by the editor from struggling through the pandemic in rural West Virginia, as a psychotherapist on the frontlines, and from reading the heartfelt stories and poems in the book. And perhaps the most interesting feature of the book is the last chapter, an opportunity to reflect and write your own lessons, story, poem, and space for your photos to add to the documentation of this experience called “the pandemic.”


About the Author

During over 35 years as a psychologist and psychotherapist in rural West Virginia, Dr. Worth has been on the frontlines helping families during the ADHD wave, the opioid crisis, and now the pandemic. He developed an in-school mindfulness meditation program for ADHD, wrote a self-help recovery guide, and now has edited an anthology documenting the human experience of the pandemic.