I do not think it matters who we speak with either. I have met many such people during my life. No one should be left out that have a listening ear. By the same token, it is not out of place to remonstrate with others either and again, Jesus dished it out on many occasion. Focussing on negative values is just as much a learning curve as offering encouragement if done in a non-combative and sympathetic manner. Extremes of both examples also has its place. Sometimes, things have to be put bluntly. The real issue in all this though, is not what is said, so much as the motive of the one speaking - for that is where opinion is nurtured. There is another factor of course and that is that being singularly positive is a two edged sword. The bible points out this subtlety where it mentions the speaker saying to his listener “…go well fed…” but does nothing to alleviate that one’s needs. Therefore, acknowledgement of the negatives has its value - quite a significant value actually, because often in this world, people live very negative lives. The majority here have dwelt there as have many others judging by what they write. Professional empathetic experience is a gem worth cultivating because to engage the spirit of the soul, you have to sense its raison d’etre, without which you cannot reach them. Not to decry the positive of course, but if it comes without depth of sensitivity and experience, it is rather like going to a session of Adventist happy clappers meeting or an Elders counselling session both of whom are more than happy to tell us that Jesus loves us, but for the life of them, cannot go deeper that that.