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Community Affirmation 4 minutes · closer

Good gossip

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Card 46 of 52

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Before we go, turn to the person beside you for a short round of what we might call good gossip.

Take turns saying one kind and true thing about someone who is not in your pair, kept respectful. You can pass, or shake your head, if you would rather not take part.

Give each person up to sixty seconds, then notice what it was like to speak well of someone who was not there to hear it.

Keep the words in the spirit they were offered, or pass them on to the person later if that feels right.

That’s the practice.

Listen for Listen for any comment that turns personal, comparing or uncomfortable, and steer the pair back to a simple appreciation.

The skill of celebration. Joyfully acknowledging someone or something important.

Who or what in your life most deserves to be acknowledged right now, and how might you affirm and celebrate it openly?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

Before we close, pair up, in the room or in a breakout, for a short round of what we might call good gossip.

Take turns saying one kind and true thing about someone who is not in your pair, such as a colleague or someone you work alongside. You can pass, or simply shake your head.

Give each person up to sixty seconds, then notice what it was like to speak well of someone who was not there to hear it.

Keep the words in the spirit they were offered, or pass them on to the person later if that feels right.

That’s the practice.

Watch for anyone who goes very still, tearful or far away. Do not single them out. Offer a break, or speak to them quietly afterwards.

The skill of celebration. Joyfully acknowledging someone or something important.

Who or what in your life most deserves to be acknowledged right now, and how might you affirm and celebrate it openly?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

The skill of celebration

Joyfully acknowledging someone or something important.

Hear this skill read aloud
Read the whole postTry the interactive practiceReflect on this skill for yourself

Adapting it

Ages 13 to 15
Offer the starter "One thing I appreciate about them is..." and model one based on something a person did.
Ages 16 to 18
Students may tell the person what was said later if they like, without it becoming another task.

If you have longer

There is a full lesson on this skill, about 42 minutes.

Say the good part out loud
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