Never Underestimate The Power Of...

1. One Hour of Uninterrupted Housecleaning- Have you ever just cleaned the house for an hour without any interruption? That is a powerful hour and I can really do more just make a "dent" in the house work.

2. A Good Song- Everyone loves a good song. This last week the favorite song at school was "That's why they call me Tarzan of the Apes." I'm not sure if it was the song, or if it was that I let the kids beat their fists on their chests while singing.

3. A Well Placed Bribe/Reward- It's amazing what a well placed bribe/reward will do to motivate kids. For example, I can get a really messy classroom cleaned in less than 1 minute by letting my students know that there is a "magic" piece of trash on the floor and that whoever picks it up gets a treat. It's Amazing!

4. A Well Placed Threat- A threat just at the right time can be powerful as well. I happened to mention to a class of 5th graders this morning that I could give them private singing lessons at lunch recess if they couldn't sing correctly during class time. It was incredible how everyone changed their tune.

5. Finding a 75% Off Sale- Not only does a 75% off sale save me lots of money, it makes me feel really good. If I need a little something to perk myself up with, all I have to do is go to Target or Costco and walk around. I usually find something worthwhile to put in my cart.

6. Checking Grades on the Computer- My children are so smart! I find out just how smart they are on a daily basis by checking their grades online. This seems to help keep my smart children as smart as they really are.

7. Water- Water is a very powerful thing! I have been going to the gym and getting in the pool for a while now. Exercising in the water has been great. Yesterday, I even won a prize from the gym for my excellent attendance.

8. Fiber- Very few things compare to the power of fiber. Eating 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily can be really powerful. Not only does it decrease the risk of heart disease, it really gets one moving in the right direction... quickly!

9. Peanut Butter- A few months ago I ate my last cashew. Since then, I have been suffering from cashew withdrawals. I have found that eating peanut butter with apples or celery has helped me get the nuts that I need and want without the problems that they cause.

10. A Good Haircut- On Monday the Sarahs and I got our haircut. We all look pretty cute and feel so much better about ourselves. We feel so lucky to have a hairstylist that does such a great job. We are now ready to go on the choir tour next week.

I am sure I have left off a few other powerful things that have been underestimated. Please feel free to share.