17 Reasons to be Grateful

I am thankful:
1. For the wife/ partner who says, “It's beans on toast tonight,” because at least she is home with me and not out with someone else…
2. For the husband/ partner who is on the sofa being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the pub…
3. For the teenager, who is complaining about doing dishes, because it means she is at home; not on the streets…
4. For the taxes I pay, because it means I am in work…
5. For the mess left after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by good friends…
6. For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have plenty to eat…
7. For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am surrounded by sunshine…
8. For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need attention, because it means I have a home...
9. For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech…
10. For the parking spot I find at the far end of the car park, because it means I am capable of walking…
11. For my heating bill because it means I am warm…
12. For the baby screeching in the supermarket because it means I can hear. ..
13. For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear. ..
14. For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of hard work. ..
15. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours of the morning because it means I am safe and alive. ..
16. For too much e-mail because it means I have friends who are thinking of me. ..
17. And finally, I am thankful for the crazy people I work with because they make work interesting and fun!

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Give Thanks - Excerpt from "Love your Life..."

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of
all the others.” Cicero (Roman statesman and philosopher).

According to Emmons & McCullough, gratitude is the forgotten
factor in their research on happiness (2003). In this research,
under the heading Measuring the Grateful Disposition, most people
who reported being grateful (average rating of nearly six on a
seven-point scale), also had a sense of:wellbeing, prosociality, spirituality and were less materialistic.

In my experience, keeping a log book helps clients to focus on positive experiences and I am pleased that this opinion is supported in the research findings: “In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.”

Why not keep a gratitude log book? In troubled and uncertain times as we have in the world today it pays to focus on what you have... as opposed to what you have not.

Let me expand a little further on the four categories mentioned above:

Wellbeing: Grateful people report higher levels of positive
emotions, life satisfaction, vitality and optimism and lower levels
of depression and stress. The disposition towards gratitude
appears to enhance pleasant feelings more than it diminishes
unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the
negative aspects of life.

Prosociality: People with a strong disposition towards gratitude
have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective
of others. They are rated as more generous and more helpful by
people in their social networks.

Spirituality: Those who regularly attend religious services and
engage in religious activities such as prayer or reading religious
material are more likely to be grateful. Grateful people are more
likely to acknowledge a belief in the interconnectedness of all life
and a commitment and responsibility to others.

Materialism: Grateful individuals place less importance on
material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others
success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less
envious of wealthy persons; and are more likely to share their
possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.

What are YOU reading at the moment?

Have you heard it said, “leaders and readers…or.. readers are leaders”?
If you accept this as a truism then let me ask the question again, “What are you reading just now”?

I’d be interested to know what is currently popular out there. As someone who works within personal development, I promote reading 10/15 minutes of positive input on a daily basis. Reading just before bedtime is ideal as it means your subconscious is put to work on the positive as opposed to negative.

250 ideas are on http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/180176.aspx

And if you wish a copy of my suggested reading list just register on www.eilidhmilnes.com and download the details.

Did you Watch the Awards?

If you missed the programme last night then you can still check out the winners on http://www.teachingawards.com/winners/

Jeremy Vine and Myleene Klass hosted a great show and if you want to watch the video http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/feature/teachers/

It was all about commitment, caring, drive and outstanding leadership. Some of the clips were magical and made me feel privileged to have been a teacher. Reminded me of how much I miss the profession today.

Why not enter one of your "star" colleagues for the 2009 awards today? And even send some words of encouragement to the 2008 winners... all their details are on the website links above.

Celebrate Your School! Nominate By 1st March 2009!

There is no better way to say thank you than recognition and reward.
Making a nomination is a fantastic way to give teachers, school governors and schools the recognition they deserve.
The closing date for the 2008 Teaching Awards has passed but nominations can now be submitted for 2009.

The closing date for the 2009 Teaching Awards is 5pm on 01 March 2009.

Gold Plato for top teachers: the UK 2008 ceremony is on BBC2 18:00, Sunday 19 October. Yes that is tonight!

Schools across the country are getting ready for the biggest celebration of excellence in education. Watch the 2008 Teaching Awards UK ceremony and post your comments...
For further information logon to: http://www.teachingawards.com

Is Relocation an Option for You?

Western Australia is actively seeking teachers.

If you are in secondary education there are vacant posts with immediate effect.

Primary vacancies are for 2010.

Take a look at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/

Or mail me for more information.

Other side of the coin

Abbreviated copy of Eilidh's email to Edensor Technology College in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent,

Dear Mr Mercer,
I have just returned from a speaking tour in Australia to read in the press about the reaction to your planned staff training event in Marbella.
It seems crazy that this had to be cancelled and so short-sighted in respect of the authority, some parents and local government officials.

I have spoken at conferences in UK where the delegate rate is far higher than your planned expenditure.

Well done for trying to raise the staff morale in terms of self-esteem and self-worth. What a wonderful training treat you had prepared. Your staff would have returned refreshed, valued and inspired.
Mr Meredith, Stoke Mayor, certainly has a lot to learn about leadership and motivation. His small minded attitude seems to abound at present. Did he not stop to consider the positive effect your trip would on your staff have in terms of team building, self confidence, self-respect and worthiness.

And I wonder how staff morale now as a result of the cancellation?

Is there a forum or link where I can post my comments? I work with education establishments all over the world and would be happy to share my opinion with your critics.

If there is anything I can do to support you, please let me know. If you wish to comment or add your support follow this link.

Read more on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7647891.stm

Ofsted Rewards

I received this email from a head teacher last weekend.

"...Having a hectic term, had a two-day Ofsted Inspection last week, which went really well, only two weeks to half term! ..."

Have you had a positive experience with Ofsted? Were you rewarded appropriately?

Many schools are graded good and outstanding. Enlightened head teachers then look to reward the staff in a practical fashion.
Several forward thinking leaders look to further encourage the team with some unique personal development.
First class presentation skills are needed in teaching, especially nowadays.
One of our training offerings via IMU is a unique half-day seminar aimed at professionals, who want to improve their personal impact. It delivers solutions to develop self-confidence, self-awareness and presentation skills.
It is entitled Maximise your Visual and Vocal Impact!

We will mail the outline to you if you wish further details.

Seminar Includes:

• Detailed Participant Guide
• Style workbook – Your personal brand
• Signed copy of “Love your Life…”
• Audio CD "Taking Control of your Voice”
• Personalised Colour Swatch
• Cool Fat Cats Action Card!

Why not forward this to a colleague or your senior leader? We can tailor the event to the needs of your school. And you can also attend as an individual or with a group of friends.

One school is combining an Ofsted reward and Christmas gift - it is being part-funded by school. Colour coaching for all teaching and support staff. How cool is that? Better still the staff can have this super treat in their PPA time on school premises.

How do you think this makes the staff feel? Well done leaders!
Please comment…

Free Stuff for You - zoe@eilidhmilnes.com

Would you like a copy of the "Cool Fat Cats" action card?

If so, mail us your postal address and we'll post one to you totally Free!
The action card is a great reminder to pop on your desk, notice board or fridge door. It gives you simple tips - the 7 Cool Fat Cat Strategies.
Take these on board to make a tremendous difference in your life.

All we ask in return is that you share the Action Card with colleagues, friends and family.

Mail to: zoe@eilidhmilnes.com with Cool Fat Cats in the subject box.

You'll find a copy in chapter 7 of "Love your Life... Survive the System..." too.

Other free materials are on the website under Downloads - you just need to register (bottom of the tool bar) and then gain access to the member resources.

Look forward to hearing from you :)

Posters and Display Resources

Everyone loves a poster! TES have got a great selection for you accross all Key Stages - ready to use as memory joggers in class or as starting points for the children’s own work.

Click on http://www.tes.co.uk/ and select Resources

The Secret - Newsletter - October issue

Do you enjoy surprises? Are secrets easy for you to keep?

Our secret is out! And boy was it hard to keep our surprise visit to Oz from Ms Cat. So many times we nearly slipped up gave the game away. Yet somehow we kept our clandestine plans hush-hush. And the result was that Catriona nearly fainted with shock and delight when we turned up, out of the blue, on her doorstep last month. It was fabulous to be there to help our daughter celebrate her 21st birthday. Cat's stunned reaction was worth all the time, effort, expense and skullduggery. We would not have missed it for the world.

Video footage captured the real gem of Kyle and Sarah's arrival at Latitude 21 on the Mackay harbour, where Cat and I were sitting sipping Chardonnay on the pretext of meeting her dad. Sarah and Kyle constituted an 'uber-surprise'. Catriona was really overcome with joy and emotion.

Can you create a magical time for the special people in your life? The perfect part is that by making someone else feel happy you feel great too!

Read more of the ezine on the web-site ...