The teachers in another state went on strike. The conditions under which they are working, and the salaries they are bringing home have become unsustainable.  Hence the decision to walk out. I have no idea, though I could probably google it, how the median pay compares to the cost of living. But those are just figures, trying to measure what eludes measure. 

Perhaps the school board feels squeezed. Taxes are a finite resource, and they may view an increase in salary as untenable. 

The other day I asked a young woman about her post graduate plans. 

"The Peace Corp," she announced with conviction. 

She does realize that it is a volunteer gig, right? Yet that particular disincentive does not seem to dissuade her. Perhaps the staying power of such altruistic endeavors seems to be something less quantifiable than money.

A wife whose love language is probably words of affirmation coined it well. 

"I would work for a salary of appreciation." She was trying to express her nearly unquenchable need for her husband to express gratitude. "I'm like a puppy."

Once I saw a woman who was comforting someone enduring a financial struggle. Quietly she pulled out her wallet and slipped a hundred dollar bill in the other person's hands. A  Franklin. She just had it with her, you know, in case. The friend was awash with thanks and dried her tears. They hugged.

While I am not in a position to hand out money quite so spontaneously, there is no cap to the amount of affirming I can give. In the process of working with students on the play, I try to be generous with kudos. 

"Your song sounded fantastic!"

"Loved your dance number!"

"You look like you are having fun."

It seems that the supply is limitless, if I only reach for it.