I will go so far as to say that gossip can be an evil force.  While gossip could be used positively, I would think that we would not be apt to call that behavior “gossip.”  People rarely go behind people’s back to say wonderful, or at least positive things about other people, unless they are planning a surprise party.

Terms that come to mind when thinking of gossip are: backbiting, maliciousness, slander, lying, maligning, whispering, spreading rumors and many others. When a person says nice things about another person, it is a compliment and something to be shared with that person and others as well.  I doubt that anyone would refer to this type of action as gossip.

So why does a person do this?  I think that it is perhaps the need to bring another down in order to feel better about oneself.  Or it could be done out of jealousy that another person is more popular or more competent..

Mean-spiritedness seems to have grown more swiftly in our culture as politics, religion, economic and, social status have separated us exponentially.  Once separated, it is easy to demonize each other.  Gossip is the perfect outlet for expressing these feelings.

This a problem throughout the world, causing people to create opposing factions that spread propaganda, that can even, eventually, lead to war.  Propaganda is gossip on a large scale.

I have to admit, and am ashamed to say, that I have gossiped.  No excuses, it was, and is wrong. And although I am sure I have done so as an adult, my goal is to only say nice things about people whether they are present or not..

We are flawed human beings, all of us.  But, if we can each purposely try to see the good in others and talk about it to them and about them as we observe it, we can make a difference. Positive action can produce positive feelings that create an atmosphere where good things not only happen, but grow.

I present a challenge to myself and anyone who cares to join me, in trying to say something nice whenever it happens, and about any person(s) who does good things.  Then, whenever a situation should present itself, we will take that opportunity to share those thoughts with that person or persons. Collectively, we could begin to change our culture, one compliment at a time.  And even if it only changes a little bit, it could turn out to be a catalyst for more positive thought processes to flourish.

Gossip has always been a negative part of our human behavior.  Any lessening of this behavior would be a good thing for everyone.  At any rate, it sure couldn’t hurt to try.