Look For The Best

Look for the Best

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

I worked in a women’s clothing store during my college years. My manager was kind and flexible about scheduling around classes, and I’ve always loved clothes. There was a singular satisfaction to be felt in unboxing new shipments, pulling the slippery sheets of plastic away, and hanging the clothes to perfection. Though some days the constant folding and straightening could be monotonous, overall I enjoyed working with customers to find items that flattered their unique shape and personality.

For the most part, my coworkers were amiable, with the exception of one. She was my age, slim with blonde hair and a sharp laugh. I didn’t mind chatting with her on most days—she was funny, and her quick wit always made the time pass quickly—but some days she seemed a bit more on edge. On those days, I’d watch her buzz from one coworker to the next, asking about their problems and anxieties. It wasn’t because she wanted to commiserate—rather, she simply seemed to love the drama. She thrived on it. It didn’t matter if it was her own or someone else’s—her face would light up at the prospect of a problem to be hashed out, picked apart, and gone through with a fine-tooth comb.

If the situation was something outside of the store, it rarely resulted in anything but a gossipy conversation. But if the issue of the day involved a misunderstanding with another coworker, it inevitably led to more disunity and disgruntlement. The girl’s pot-stirring amped up the situation even more, and coworkers who normally saw themselves as friends found themselves digging in on opposite sides of minor disagreements.

The girl’s preoccupation with drama inevitably resulted in a second consequence—a harsher, less patient, less pleasant attitude. The words she chose to speak not only influenced others and how they viewed minor irritations, they also affected her own relationships with coworkers who might otherwise have been friends. The lesson she unwittingly taught me is one I haven’t forgotten. Whether it’s at work or in the community, it can be easy to get pulled into drama. Instead, let’s resolve to be friends who believe—and look for—the best in others.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

The next time you hear a friend gossiping, choose not to participate.