Gossip and Glitter

Why does it seem like bad news spreads so much easier than good news? Sometimes it seems like the negative energy is hitting from every direction.

My leading theory is that everyone is feeling uncertain and discouraged lately, and as the old saying goes “misery loves company.” We spread the bad because it reminds us that we’re not the only ones feeling bad. It’s temporary salve for a complicated injury. And it comes at a cost: as the bad news spreads, we all feel worse. Then we spread more, then we feel worse. The spreaders, the receivers, we all get caked in mud.

Speaking of cake, here’s a good thought: if my aforementioned theory holds up, maybe the reverse is true! Maybe if we take some time each day and deliberately spread some encouragement (and spread it generously like Rainbow Chip Deluxe frosting on a Funfetti cake), then we’ll all be smeared in good feelings.

There are tons of low or no cost ways to encourage teachers: a quick note on a scrap of paper, an email, a “Way to go!” message. Teachers will be encouraged by almost anything that shows them they are valued: a picture from a student, a flower picked on the way to school, anything. Teachers will hoard and save almost any treasure they can. These treasures vary in size and style, but what they all have in common is that at a moment in time they made a teacher feel special and seen.

Teachers need it right now. We all need it right now. It won’t take much time, it won’t take much energy. At the start, it will take intentionality. We aren’t in the habit yet. But it is my firm belief that we can become a community that spreads encouragement as readily as a high schooler spreading gossip, as enthusiastically as a toddler spreading glitter.

(But to be clear, don’t actually cover a teacher in glitter.)