64 Ways to Start a Monday-- #MondaysStartWithMe

64 Ways to Start a Monday--

The idea for this post began in my small, yet magical classroom on STJ, USVI, two years ago.   It was a Friday afternoon, just after dismissal.  I was alone in my class (well, alone if you don’t count the dozens of thirsty mosquitos waiting in line to take a sip.  That day, the thought crossed my mind that countless students across the U. S. were hearing or about to hear the Friday afternoon dismissal bell(s).  And, for many, then follows the longest stretch of their week--approximately 64 hours until the Monday morning arrival bell.  My heart ached as I thought of how many students find themselves in situations where positive adult contact is terribly limited or altogether obsolete over the more than two-day stretch.  From that moment forward, I made it a personal mission to hug a little harder, speak a little softer, and celebrate the positive and possible--

especially on Monday mornings.  

{Students living in emotional droughts need Monday morning heroes.}

Put on your cape. Make your superpower shine like a beacon of hope.

Never underestimate the inescapable influence that you hold in your heart and hands

when you demonstrate that--

#MondaysStartWithMe     

1. Be positive: The alternative destroys brain cells & relationships.
2. Smile: It’s free and has unlimited potential.
3. Greet someone:Never assume that it won’t make a difference.It does.
4. Hug: Trees, your pillow, your pet--but, mostly people. We need it.
5. High five: Or fistbump--but let someone know “I see you.”
6. Handshake: If #5 is out of your comfort zone, do this.
7. Do: Something outside of your comfort zone; Predictability is overrated.
8. Sing:You don’t have to be Adele or Sinatra. Fuel your soul.
9. Share: Not because it’s nice but because you want to.
10. Compliment: Someone. It feels good to give & receive.
11. Celebrate: The positive & possible.
12. Love: More.
13. Spread: Joy like confetti.
14. Write: Positive words, goals, celebrations.
15. Be kind: This needs no explanation.
16. Forgive: For yourself.
17. Practice: Habit 5 Seek first to Understand. Then be understood.
18. Connect: Somehow, some way, with another human.
19. Play: Music. It’s a timeless way to connect all people.
20. Learn: If you’re not learning, you’re dying.
21. Show: Gratitude. Thank you goes further than you’ll ever know.
22. Create: Something new (to you).
23. Fuel: Your soul with whatever lights your internal fire.
24. Feed: Your body. I love Ding Dongs, but in moderation. Eat well.
25. Hydrate: Healthy & productive brains & bodies need water. Drink.
26. Listen: Many students & adults simply need someone to do this.
27. Laugh: It releases feel-good brain chemicals.
28. Avoid: Energy zappers. People who drain you drag you down.
29. Swallow: The frog.  Tackle your undesirable to-do list first.
30. Breathe: If you don’t, you’ll die.
31. Be: A purple cow. The world is already full of ordinary.
32. Model: Empathy. It’s not a “soft” skill. It’s a life skill.
33. Support: Someone. You never know when you’ll be the bottom spoke.
34. Look: In their eyes.  
35. Immerse:Yourself with your family, friends, and students.
36. Reach: Out. Take the first step. Waiting may be too late.
37. Help: You don’t have to look far to extend a hand or heart.
38. Light: The path for someone experiencing darkness.
39. Lead: Not so others may follow but so others will find the strength to lead.
40. Encourage: Your words are often exactly what someone needs to hear.
41. Stop: The negativity. It’s unhealthy, unflattering, unproductive, and unacceptable.
42. Give: Time.  Kids and adults crave this, even if they don’t know how to express it.
43. Stretch: Be flexible.  Mondays are difficult for many students (and adults).
44. Look: For opportunities to make a life-changing impact.
45. Write: A short note of encouragement to anyone (even yourself).
46. Empower: Anyone that you can so that they rise.
47. Permeate: The wall of sadness and mistrust that so many shoulder daily.
48. Ignite: your S.H.I.N.E.® and help others do the same.
49. Disrupt: The status quo. Students don’t look forward to mundane.
50. Commit: To BRING IT today!
51. Amplify: Your voice. Ideas that rest unheard never impact the world.
52. Customize: The learning experience for every student, not special groups.
53. Champion: The underdogs lurking in your class, building, playgrounds.
54. Unleash: Your passions. Share the real you. Tell a story. Relate to kids as a person, not a figure of authority.
55. Dedicate: Your day to BE with your learners. They deserve 100% of you.
56. Reimagine: Your space. What one small change could make a huge impact?
57. Spark: The wisdom and imagination in all learners.
58. Trust: Build it, nurture it, repeat.
59. Tell: Your story. If you don’t, someone else will and it may not be your version.
60. Tweet: A resource, activity, celebration--use #MondaysStartWithMe hashtag.
61. Influence: All in your path. You will.  Decide if it will be positive or negative.
62. Entice: Your students to eagerly return tomorrow {Mystery, suspense, teaser}.
63. Read: A blog, article, tweets, posts, book, etc. Share it with the world. The smartest person in the room is the room. Make the room a global collaboration.
64. #THRIVE: Surviving is no longer enough.  Sprinkle every Monday with a dash of determination, a healthy heap of hope, and a scoop of serendipity.