#CelebrateMonday
November 13, 2017
It's getting to be that crazy time of year (although, it kind of seems like that tends to be the constant, doesn't it? - do things ever calm down anymore?) - and I hope you had the opportunity to take some time for rest and relaxation over the weekend.
It's so important for us to take care of ourselves - especially because we spend so much time taking care of others (staff, students, families).
Part of taking care of ourselves includes taking care of our own mental and emotional health, and as we've shared in the past, gratitude can have a significant impact on our mental and emotional health.
We began November with a #CelebrateMonday focus on gratitude - taking time daily to reflect upon the things for which we are grateful. I'm not sure about you, but taking part in that practice for me has really helped change my mindset. I've even had the opportunity to view things that typically feel negative (like arguments with my lovely, strong-willed daughter) in a more positive way. I hope that you have had the opportunity to do some reflecting in this way.
When I was planning out this month of gratitude in my head, my plan to #CelebrateMonday today was to focus on acts of kindness. I had no idea at the time that today is World Kindness Day!
How perfect!
I feel gratitude all the time. And I even think to myself, "I should thank so-and-so for that awesome thing he/she did!" And then I get busy, and the moment passes.
I think that random acts of kindness can go a long way to show our gratitude for others. I have such appreciation for so many, and it is through small acts of kindness that I feel I can best communicate to them my gratitude for all they are to and for me.
Handwritten thank you notes or "thinking of you notes" are one of my favorites. It warms me up and fills me with wth gratitude all over again when I take the time to write the note and share with others my thoughts or my gratitude. I am also a HUGE fan of bringing in sweet treats (perhaps because I also benefit from that small act of kindness....).
What are your favorite acts of kindness to give AND/OR receive?? If you share them here, we can created an awesome list of ideas that we can use with others!
Share them here: https://padlet.com/keriskeeters1/kindness
Also to #CelebrateMonday (yep! more than one thing today - getting crazy!) let's carry out some of these acts of kindness. Whether it's to celebrate World Kindness Day or whether it's an act of kindness done in the service of gratitude, spend some time today, all week, and for the rest of the month giving small acts of kindness to others! (You can start by putting your favorites on the Padlet - sharing so we all have more ideas to choose from!)
Your acts of kindness today will definitely make this the best Monday of the week!
Cheers!