There are many ways of welcoming bad news. In my family we were always told to try to see the good side of things. I'm not good at this.
But I must admit that sometimes disappointment is so unexpected that, in a way, it is kind of a success to manage to be unsuccessful! In such a case, if you feel sorry for yourself, you're wrong. Because you succeed in challenging destiny. Odds are astronomical against failing. But you do. You win against destiny. That's what I tried to make my 8 year old nephew understand when he "beat" me (according to him) playing table football... Obviously, considering how improbable the shut-out was, it is legitimate to claim that I won! My loss is a beautiful victory against destiny and odds!
He answered he defeated destiny too! I said : "OK, we're ex-aequo then." But he could not admit that, arguing that he won twice: once against me, and once against probabilities! What the hell is that?!! It only counts as one victory! "Don't be so childish?" I said! "You're a big boy now! You beat me, but you could not have done it without me, so we're ex-aequo, right?" But he kept protesting. I can't believe how immature kids are!
Telling very bad news to people makes me anxious. It is so hard that when people want me to do that, they're like: "I've got bad, bad news for you, you've got to tell bad news to someone. You gonna be alright? I'm sorry dude. Be strong". I don't really know how to do that. I try not to be too brutal, and highlight the fact that what has happened is going to be something unique and unforgettable in their life. Something like:
"Congratulations, I'm sorry, I've got very bad news, you won: You've lost everything!"
