Of course, the small feelings of victory (not any less significant) and encouragement lie in wait too, and should not be forgotten. In fact, it is these emotional experiences that should be held out to flap around and catch one's eye in the winds of constant change and uncertainty.
In the grander cultural picture, I do think that developing a cautious awareness of potentially negative emotions, which can come from various angles, is essential. Some anxiety and pressure is a good thing - it is an external motivator that can trigger internally-driven accomplishments and innovation. That being said, the tipping point between a "healthy" amount of anxiety and pressure, and otherwise, will be felt. I believe what's most important in these potential situations of emotional teetering is how one responds.
I tend to be a cautious, but faithful, optimist. There are times, however, when I'm aware of the potential to be drawn into the social phenomena of 'drama' - this exists in any field, but education seems particularly prone to swinging trends and upheavals. Seeing as human beings are still very much in the business of being the primary educators, it seems an unfortunate norm to walk into a faculty meeting and feel a sense of tension and anxiety over the latest policy changes and administration initiatives. As new teachers on the scene, we have the advantage of not having the same biases that many of the staff who have been there for years may be harboring. We may be able to see the possibilities and potential, maybe even out-of-the-box solutions, that lie outside of the exchanged gossip and push-back.
Certainly, I am not lambasting experienced educators. They are the pinnacle of wisdom and insight, bringing their experiences - failures and achievements - and deepening our understanding of best practices. I come from a perspective of being brand new to the scene, having a blank slate, and not wanting to immediately cover it up with cynicism and criticism. In today's high-stakes environment, this is a potential danger. I think any educator would admit to this risk. One must have an authentic passion, at the end of the day, for being a successful participant in the making of young minds. At the very least, this belief will be tried and tested true, or otherwise.
More to the point, cultivating awareness and taking a step back from the self-involved and emotional scene is, I believe, essential for right-side up growth. Learning how to take an 'unaffected' observer's stance is essential to taking in as many elements and perspectives as possible, and will contribute to making better-informed decisions. As naive and vulnerable as I sometimes feel, this is a practice that I believe will help to keep my eyes on the horizon and my vision clearer and open to the possibilities inherent in the future of education.