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The Magic 8 Ball. I think this should be the official talisman of 2020.  It’s as close to a crystal ball as we’re likely to find. Let’s imagine the kinds of insight it could offer us right about now…

It’s important to note that most of the responses it offers are favorable, and I believe that’s exactly how we need to look at this year. We’re not sure what awaits us, but if we stop and think about it, the possible outcomes are far more positive than negative. Would we like there to be more certainty and predictability? Absolutely! The thing is — if we don’t get those reassurances, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll all turn out terribly. The unknowns could be even better than we might imagine. What if we embrace all of this unfamiliarity and capitalize on the opportunity to make changes for the better? Yeah…I know. At this point, it’s probably natural to assume that I’ve watched Tiger King too many times during the pandemic and it’s affecting my grip on reality.

You know, it’s funny. Having a positive outlook — ironically enough — usually elicits negative vibes.  People either associate you with unrealistically cheerful cartoon princesses or they assume that there’s some sort of chemical imbalance at work. In my view, though, positivity doesn’t have to entail making all of the negatives disappear.  It’s simply an exercise in perspective. You see and acknowledge the things that need to change, and you use them as motivation to grow. 

This year, my school is employing a behavioral strategy rooted in positive reinforcement. It’s an educational practice adapted from therapeutic programs in marriage counseling. This “4:1” approach exists on the premise that for every corrective statement you make, you should counteract it with something positive — preferably in a ratio of four positive statements to one redirection. When you watch a video or read prepared statements to explain this strategy, it comes off as a bit hokey, flooding your consciousness with those saccharine princess images; however, if you drill down to its essence, it’s about being mindful of how you present yourself and how you relate to others.  Don’t you want put more positivity out there in the universe? Isn’t the goal to build as many positive relationships as you can? It certainly is for me, and if you’re reading this…my suspicion is that it’s yours, too.

As a believer in karma, I feel strongly that the good you put out there comes back around. For example, a colleague of mine wanted to make the most out of an advisory period that’s new to our schedules this year. He’s advising a group of seniors and wants to give them as much support as he possibly can. To that end, he decided to reach out to former students for help and the response has been amazing (74 student responses and counting) — alumni popping up everywhere, eager to drop by his Zoom classroom and paying it forward with tips, tools, and advice that they genuinely wish to impart to a whole new generation of Vikings. He took something unknown and unsettling and turned it into a net positive. What started out as something undefined and potentially awkward may just prove to be a cornerstone of our virtual school community.

The only thing certain about this year is that it’s chock full of uncertainties. I could list them all, but it would be daunting, and — let’s face it — a bit of a downer (and I know you just started mentally listing the pandemic, racial inequities, virtual school, murder hornets, hurricanes…). Instead, I’m choosing to focus on the positive impact I can make going forward, and I’m encouraging you to do the same. The year isn’t going to be perfect, but to be honest, no year ever is. Right at this moment, we have a golden opportunity to shed those lofty, elusive goals of perfection. We can focus on being honest and transparent so that we might really grow with our students. Change is scary, but maintaining the status quo for the sake of it…that’s the stuff nightmares are made of.

So let’s revisit the wisdom of the Magic 8 Ball.

Could this be a revolutionary year? Signs point to yes.

And if you still need a pep talk, give this a watch. Be a Miss Patty. That’s why you got into this gig anyway, right?

Just show up for the kids. Listen to them and everything will be just fine.