[Sparkle]

I work in a "cooperative" that is not always so cooperative... and not always positive.

Some things I do to improve the every day atmosphere:

*Be a good listener, especially when someone is upset or angry. I have a small private office, I invite them to come have a sit down and close my door and just give them a little space to say what they have to say. I don't try to fix their problem, or offer to negotiate on their behalf; but I find that giving them a place to articulate their feelings/thoughts usually provides some sense of relief in the moment.

*Laugh freely and easily and as often as possible. Laughter is contagious. And people will remember that about you. Share silly memes of kittens doing whacky things, tell your old stories that are funny/embarrassing, laugh about the ridiculous "murphy's law" things that happen in the office. ...

*I let the children's energy affect me (I work in a k-8 school). I have bad attitude days just like everyone else. I find that if I spend fifteen minutes watching a music class I can't help but smile and my energy is changed. It might not turn around my whole day but it helps in the moment.