Charge the cell phone of your life.

Cell phones can only work so long without getting charged before they stop working. You have to take time to plug the cell phone into something that gives the battery in the cell phone its “life back.” You can’t just charge the cell phone battery once, and it will run forever. You have to stop and charge it daily so that it keeps running.

You too need to take time to get charged back up. You give and give and your battery can get low every day. You too need to take time to get “charged back up.” Plug into something that makes you feel good, something that charges your battery. Do this daily. You deserve it. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end.

Maryln

P.S. We would love to come to you to do training for your school. Go to http://www.atiseminars.org/ and click on "Staff Development/Keynotes" at the top of the page to get details.

You are more than what you wear, but what you wear, counts.

It’s not the clothing that you wear that makes you special. It’s not fancy expensive outerwear. Instead it is the “innerwear.” It’s the joy you bring with you to work each day. It’s the smile on your face. It’s your own knowledge that who you are makes a difference.

Today and everyday, remember to wear great “innerwear” as you make a difference in the lives of children.

Have a great day and feel free to share this column with your friends, co-workers, and parents.

Maryln

P.S. We would love to come to you to do training for your school. Go to http://www.atiseminars.org/ and click on "Staff Development/Keynotes" at the top of the page to get details.

Some sores need more than a bandage.

Children are not only being expelled from elementary and secondary school, but they are also being kicked out of preschools. There are some that say, “What could a 2-year-old do that is wrong?” But I have also been on the other end of the situation as a therapist and as a consultant seeing young children who create havoc in their classrooms. They break equipment, hurt other children, and seem to delight in getting into trouble. I will never forget seeing one child attempt to strangle another smaller child!

On the one hand, if children are tossed out when they are very young, it can set a precedent for them of not being able to succeed. On the other hand, can early childhood centers keep children that are destructive?

I am curious what you think about this. Some of you work in preschool, and some of you work in elementary or secondary school. Your opinions count regardless of the age of the students you teach. We have launched a new survey today for you to take at www.atiseminars.org for you to express your opinion.

There is an interesting article about this you can find at:
http://spotlight.encarta.msn.com/Features/encnet_Departments_Elementary_default_article_KickedOutPreschool.html?GT1=27001

It is my opinion that many of these problems have their origins in the home. Many times preschools, elementary schools, and secondary schools are putting bandages on huge deep wounds that are created in the home. The children need more than a bandage. They need help. Parents are often as desperate to find the solutions as the people who work with their children. Be a team whenever you can to help parents and to help children. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day and feel free to share this column with your friends, co-workers, and parents.

Maryln

Worry will not help; Action will.

People all over the world are concerned about the economy, and rightfully so. People are losing their jobs, their retirement income, their homes, and their life savings. Stories of corruption continually make news. I am dedicating today’s thought to this important issue. I too have been worried as I watch what is happening, but then I realized that being worried is like being in a rowboat without paddling, just drifting to wherever the boat will take you. Instead of just drifting and being so powerless, there are things you can do.


• You can’t stop the stock market from tumbling, but you can stop your mind from tumbling. You can turn off the news that feeds on negativity. After 9/11, the news was so frightening that I simply stopped watching for a time. I found that I was calmer, and I still knew what was happening because friends would tell me.

• You can start each day thinking about the things that are totally free—the love of your family, a beautiful sunrise, the smiles and hugs of children.

• You can curb your own spending.

• You can carefully think through decisions about your future.

• You can write lawmakers and say, “Never again” to waste and corruption.

• You can take time to do something for yourself that is calming and free such as taking a deep breath, looking at photos of those you love, or talking with a friend.

• Pray. The power of prayer is huge.

• Remember that your students are completely influenced by your moods. Your attitudes are more contagious than a cold. If they see you worried, they will “catch” the worry and may begin to have fear, withdraw, or act out.

• Reassure students that there have been tough times before, but we always pull out.


You are a difference maker.

Have a great day and feel free to share this column with your friends, co-workers, and parents.

Maryln

Respect is fundamental in good relationships.

Respect is the cornerstone of healthy relationships. Think of someone you respect, it is generally someone who has strength of character, integrity, and for me, someone with compassion too. It’s someone who “walks their talk.” Those are the traits your students will respect in you.

Have an awesome day and a wonderful week and feel free to share this column with your friends, co-workers, and parents.

Maryln

P.S. We would love to come to you to do training for your school. Go to http://www.atiseminars.org/ and click on "Staff Development/Keynotes" at the top of the page to get details.