Mondays Matter: Week 52, Our Final Week

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza.

YOUR DAY

Today is your day. Today you get to pick how you want to make a difference. You know the drill. Think of something - and go do it. Pretty simple.

The only catch is...I want to hear about it and so does Every Monday Matters. If you go to http://everymondaymatters.com and let them know what you did, you will be entered into their contest. Your idea just might be selected to be one of the "Mondays" in their next book.

Everytime you took care of yourself, did something for someone else, protected the environment, gave from your heart, volunteered your time, and donated your possessions, your action had a ripple effect on your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, community, city, country, and the world.

So, today, tomorrow, next week, go out and make a difference! Let me know what you did in my comments section. Thanks for taking this journey with me over the last 52 weeks. And remember....

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. - unknown

Mondays Matter: Week 51

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

NO NICOTINE

-Nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

-12 million deaths have been caused by cigarette smoking over the last 40 years.

-80% of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18.

-70% of smokers say they want to quit.

-Nicotine can be found in the umbilical cord blood of a fetus during pregnancy as well as in breast milk?

-91.2% of all successful long-term quitters quit cold turkey, without the assistance of patches, gum, hypnosis, acupuncture, inhalers, or prescriptions.

ACTION STEPS

1. Stop smoking - do it today - cold turkey. Don't light up! And if you chew tobacco, avoid even a pinch today. You can do it!

2. Quit with a friend so that you can hold each other accountable.

3. If necessary, use one of the many nicotine replacement therapies.

4. If you are a nonsmoker, "adopt" a smoker. Support them by giving encouragement, exercising together, going out where there isn't likely to be smoking, and providing comfort and accountablility.

This is the absolute best gift you can give someone this Christmas. Quit smoking! You have just added days to your life and to the lives of your loved ones (if you smoke around them). You have brightened up your skin and your teeth, you smell better, and you feel better. You will also have more money in your wallet. I will never understand the addiction to smoking, but the facts are smoking is detrimental to your health. Just for one day....don't light up. See how it goes, then tomorrow, don't light up. Do it for yourself, for you spouse, for your children, for your friends. May this one day off be the first day of the rest of your tobacco-free life.

Mondays Matter: Week 50

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

THANK A TEACHER

-There are 2.6 million teachers that teach K-12.

-42% of K-12 teachers are over 50 years old.

-Almost 50% of teachers leave the profession by their 5th year.

-A 15 billion per year investment or a 30% raise for all teachers is necessary to make teacher compensation competitive with other professions requiring similiar levels of education.

-The single most important factor in determining student performance is the quality of his or her teachers.

ACTION STEPS

1. Identify a teacher you want to thank - your child's teacher, a friend or neighbor who teaches, a teacher at a local school, or a teacher from your childhood.

2. Show this teacher your appreciation by:

- Writing a thank you note.

-Bringing a gift like homemade cookies or handpicked flowers, a book on a topic they are interested in, or a gift card for something you know they would like.

-Organizing a class Appreciation Jar. Give every student a piece of paper and have them list all the reasons why their teacher is special to them. Stuff the papers in the jar and let the teacher open one each day.

-Volunteering in the classroom and helping with special projects or field trips.

As a stay-at-home mom I have spent the last 4 years volunteering in each of my children's classrooms on a regular basis. By being in the classroom, I have been able to appreciate all that the teachers do for the students each and every day. I have witnessed a teacher spending hours to create a teepee in the classroom while the children learned about Native Americans. I saw a teacher spend her own money to purchase every different kind of fruit she could find in the stores to give her students the experience of trying different fruits of varying textures and tastes (I was the lucky volunteer to cut/peel/dice all that fruit). I have witnessed a teacher pay for snack-time milk because the child's parent couldn't afford it. I have observed hundreds of dollars of games and supplies that teachers have bought with their own money because the school budget was too tight. I could go on and on. I have a favorite teacher from my childhood that I will never forget her impact on me and I am sure you remember one as well. Teachers in our children's lives are helping to shape their future. Show appreciation to them and let them know they are valued and respected.

Mondays Matter: Week 49

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

-The U.S. leads the industrialized world in waste generation, producing 245 million tons annually-4.5 pounds per person per day.

-2.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away every hour.

-Producing recycled white paper creates 74% less air pollutants, 35% less water pollutants, and 75% less process energy than producing paper from virgin fibers.

-9,000 curbside recycling programs exist

Only 2 man-made structures on Earth are large enough to be seen from outer space - the Great Wall of China and the Fresh Kills Landfill in New York.

ACTION STEPS

1. Reduce what you use by purchasing larger sizes.

2. Reuse rather than throw away.

3. Contact your local waste management company and find out if they sort trash and recycle. If there isn't a recycling program, create different containers in your home or business for glass, plastic, and paper.

4. Deliver your separated recyclables to a local recycling center once a month.

5. Buy recycled products and packaging.

If you haven't seen the movie Wall-E, that is a great example of what could happen if we don't start reducing, reusing, and recycling. They are key to protecting our resources and preserving our environment for future generations. As the holidays are coming up, how can you reduce the amount of packaging and gift wrap that you use this year? Typically, gift wrap is NOT recyclable. Buy decorated reusable gift boxes or reuse some that were given to you, for example. Reducing is the most powerful technique for eliminating waste because we don't generate waste in the first place. If you can't reduce, then at least reuse or recycle. In my community, we are so fortunate to have a curbside recycling program. It makes recycling so much easier. In fact, we fill 2 tubs every week with recyclables....reducing the amount of garbage bags we set out. How are you going to reduce, reuse, and/or recycle?

Mondays Matter: Week 48

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

RESPECT THE DISABLED

-54 million or more people ages 5 and older have a non-institutionalizing disability.

-25 million disabled are of an employable age.

-78% want to be employed, but only 33% have a job.

-Disabilities are more often caused by accidents, illnesses, or late-emerging effects of genetics than by congenital disorders.

-Not all severe disabilities can be detected by the human eye.

-Over 15% of the cars parked in a handicapped parking space are parked illegally.

ACTION STEPS

1. Show respect to the disabled today.

2. Don't park in a handicapped parking space or use handicapped plates or placards illegally. Designated parking for the handicapped is a necessity.

3. Don't use handicapped bathroom stalls unless you're handicapped. A handicapped person's need to use the restroom may be just as urgent as yours, and the handicapped one is the only one they are able to use.

4. When you see a handicapped license plate, slow down and show consideration rather than tailgating or honking.

5. Open a door, roll a wheelchair up or down an incline, carry shopping bags, or offer an arm in challenging weather conditions or on uneven walkways.

The majority of people with disabilities want to be totally integrated into all aspects of society. No one plans to get a disability, it just happens, every day to someone. One day it could be you. With more awareness, respect and helpfulness, you can make someone's life a little bit easier.

Mondays Matter: Week 47

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza.

MEDITATE OR PRAY

-Meditation and prayer shift brain activity from the stress-prone right frontal cortex to the calmer left frontal cortex.

-Slowing the breathing rate to 6 breaths per minute synchronizes breathing with cardiovascular rhythms resulting in enhanced cardiac health.

-Physiological benefits of prayer and meditation include anit-aging, deep rest, decreased blood pressure, high skin resistance, and easier breathing.

-Psychological benefits include increased brain-wave coherence, greater creativity, decreased anxiety and depression, improved learning and memory, and increased happiness and emotional stability.

ACTION STEPS

1. Fnd a quiet place to be still.

2. Take deep breaths to help you relax.

3. Meditate or pray.

4. With a clearer mind, journal your own thoughts and insights.

5. Make meditation or prayer a part of your daily life.

I have definately found that when I am anxious, stressed, depressed, nervous, or worried, when I begin to pray about it and give my worries and concerns to God, I can physically and emotionally feel the weight lifted off of me. I begin to feel a peace over me and I can let go. Are there some things that you need to "let go" of? Find a quiet spot (mine is usually in my bathroom) and let breathing and stillness begin.

Mondays Matter: Week 46

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

DONATE CLOTHES

-20 billion pounds of clothing and textiles are thrown away every year - an average of 68 pounds per person.

-1.5 billion pairs of unworn or barely worn shoes are lying in closets.

-Over 35 million people live in poverty and have limited money to purchase new clothes.

-On average, 3 million men, women and children are homeless at some point each year.

-50% of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence, usually with only the clothes on their backs.

-Clothing donations to qualified charitable organizations are tax deductible.

ACTION STEPS

1. Contact a local shelter or organization that receives clothing donations and ask about any specific clothing needs.

2. Look through your closet, kids' closet, or husband's closet for clothing, coats, shoes, suits, blankets, pillows, purses, briefcases, umbrellas, and scarves that are in good condition, and that you haven't used in a year or more.

3. Organize a clothing drive at work, school, your place of worship, or in your neighborhood.

4. Wash or dry-clean items. Don't donate items that are stained or torn.

5. Fold and pack clothing in boxes, attach appropriate labels, then deliver them.

6. Consider giving directly to a homeless person.

Donating clothing is one of the easiest ways to affect someone's life in a very tangible and significant way. Also, just look in your own family or friend circle. Is there someone that you could passs on your children's clothing to? I truly appreciate the clothing we get for the kids from my sister-in-law and a girlfriend. This helps us save money and then we continue the cycle by passing on the clothes we have outgrown to my niece's children, and my friend's children. You can help someone stay warm, wear shoes without holes, dress porperly for a job interview, or wear a new outfit for school. Look in your phone book for homeless shelters, call your local United Way, contact your church or school, and find out if there are families who could use a donation of clothing. Then go through your closets and drop them off. With cold weather coming, winter coats are going to be in high demand. Please consider dropping off a winter coat to an organization today. Do you really need all those clothes filling up your closet? Millions of other people do.

Mondays Matter: Week 45

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

GET INVOLVED WITH FOSTER KIDS

-Over 500,000 children are in foster care and their average ages is 10.

-The average length of stay for all children currently in foster care is 2.4 years.

-14% of the children in foster care have been there for more than 5 years.

-Over 51,000 children are adopted annually through the foster care system.

ACTION STEPS

1. Find a foster care facility near you. Contact them and ask how you can help.

2. Sign up as a volunteer and get your family and friends involved.

3. Be prepared. Volunteers at a foster care facility can be involved in everything from outside physical activities to arts and crafts.

4. Become a foster parent or adopt a child.

Our community has 2 families, that I know of, that have been foster parents and then adopted those same children. These are both families who have already raised their children and are starting over again. I am in awe of both of these families for the love they have shown to the children. Unfortunately, foster children often come from parents/homes where they were mistreated, abused, malnourished, and may even have special needs. To take on these struggles just astounds me and I have seen great changes in these kids since they first came to our community as foster kids. So, to add to the Action Steps above....thank a foster parent/adoptive parent today. Let them know you appreciate them, pray for them and the children, and offer support. These kids now have opportunities they never would have had in their original homes. These kids now have a chance. Foster parenting may not be for you, but for these kids, I am certainly glad they have this community to now be a part of, and a home where they can build happy memories.

Mondays Matter: Week 44

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

USE ONLINE BILL PAY

-One of the fastest growing robbery crimes is identity theft by stealing mail.

-With password protection, more than one level of authentication, increased online security, and 100% protection in case of fraud, online bill pay is much safter than putting a check in the mailbox.

-Internet use and electronic account monitoring is the fastest way to detect fraud and decrease losses from identity theft.

-Banking information can be accessed via the Internet anytime, anywhere.

-Paying bills online saves the average consumer $6 in stamps and 4 hours of time each month.

-18.5 million trees would be saved annually if consumers viewed and payed bills online.

ACTION STEPS

1. Go to your bank's website, click on "online banking" and follow the instructions to set up online bill pay.

2. Print out statements, view transactions, check balances, pay bills, transfer funds, and look for other financial information at your convenience.

3. Stop receiving bank statements and bills in the mail by signing up for online delivery.

4. If you're not able to connect online, then set up automatic payments over the phone. You may still receive a statement, but your payments will be automatically deducted from your bank account.

This is one idea that I am a little conflicted with. Both of my parents worked for the US Postal Service. This agency is feeling the effects of people communicating and doing their business solely online. For that reason, I don't do everything online. I still send letters, birthday cards, and bills in the mail. I do use online banking to be able to access our account, but don't pay my all our bills that way. Everyone has to do what is comfortable for them. Online bill paying is more cost-effective, more environmentally friendly, quicker, safer, and more convenient. But, you have to choose what method you are most comfortable with. Maybe starting with a few monthly bills and see how you like it. Next time you get a statement, check and see if they offer online bill pay.

Mondays Matter: Week 43

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

LISTEN, PRAY, APPRECIATE MUSIC

-Over 70% of schools are not able to maintain funding for the arts.

-Students with coursework in music appreciation score roughly 60 points higher in verbal and 40 points higher in math on the SAT than their non-arts peers.

-Early musical training increases brain development in language, reasoning, math, science, memory, creativity, expression, and spatial intelligence.

-Every human culture uses music to preserve and pass on its ideas and ideals.

-Music is not limited by age, gender, ethnicity, or time.

ACTION STEPS

1. Listen to your favorite music and sing, dance, clap, jam on your air guitar, and enjoy it like no one is watching.

2. Go see or buy tickets for a live music performance.

3. Sign up for music lessons for yourself or your family.

4. If you already sing or play an instrument, do it today or offer to teach someone who wants to learn.

5. Donate unused instruments to a local school, church or music education center.

6. Communicate with your school-district administrators or national legislators. Write a letter of appreciate for the hard work they do and request continued funding for the arts.

As a child, my parents had me take piano lessons and I am so glad they did. I feel fortunate to have that talent and now our 2 boys are taking lessons and have picked it up quite quickly. I love to be in the kitchen making supper and hearing them practicing their piano. Our 4 yr old daughter is anxious to learn how to play as well. We are fortunate to live in a school district that has a flourishing arts program. Our school offers swing choirs, band, various choirs, jazz band, marching band, concert band, fall musical, spring play, etc. I am glad our children will have numerous options to showcase their talents and appreciation for music. Music is fun, expressive, imaginative, beautiful, energizing, relaxing, interesting, and freeing. Through music, we preserve our cultural heritage, celebrate our faith with praise and worship, remember events and experiences from the past, come together with friends and family, and express our emotions. Music is the sountrack of life.

Mondays Matter: Week 42

I can't believe this is week 42 already! That means only 10 more weeks of 2009 left! YIKES! Christmas is only 9 weeks away. Enjoy the last 10 weeks and make sure you are making a difference!

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

GIVE A HUG

-Stimulation by touch is absolutely necessary for physical and emotional well-being.
-Touch is used to relieve pain, depression, and anxiety; to enhance a child's development and IQ; and to nurture premature babies.
-Hugging strengthens the immune system, reduces stress, assists sleep, lowers blood pressure, and is an antidote to depression.
People need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth.

ACTION STEPS
1. Hug the people you care about today. Hug them in the morning, hug them to say hello, hug them because they bring you happiness, hug them to say good-bye, hug them to say, "I Love You", hug them to show compassion, hug them if they are sad, hug them if they are hurting, hug them because they did something incredible, or hug them just because.
2. Hug a total stranger or someone you don't know very well...but ask first.
3. Challenge yourself and your friends to keep track of how many hugs you gave or received today.
4. Notice how you feel at the end of your day of hugging.

If everyone hugged 4 people today - the minimum amount for survival - that would add up to 1.2 billion hugs. If everyone gave 12, the total would be 3.6 billion hugs. So, take the time to give 12 hugs today. That hug might be exactly what those 12 people needed.

Mondays Matter: Week 41

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

CHOOSE CANVAS BAGS

-Almost 7 billion paper bags and 440 billion plastic bags are used every year.

-Only 5.2 % of plastic bags and 21% of paper bags are recycled.

-The average length of time a high-density plastic bag will exist on earth is 1,000 years!

-The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags every 4 trips to the grocery store.

-San Francisco, the first city in the USA to ban the use of plastic grocery bags, eliminates the use of 100 million plastic bags/year.

ACTION STEPS

1. Buy several canvas shopping bags or use duffle bags that you already own. Most trips to the store require more than one bag.

2. Purchase canvas bags made from recycled materials.

3. Keep your canvas bags in the trunk of your car - trips to the store are often spontaneous.

4. When purchasing only one or two items and you don't have a canvas bag, just carry the items out of the store without a bag.

5. If you forget your canvas bag, at least avoid double-bagging.

I LOVE using my canvas shopping bags. I think I have 8 of them that I keep in my van at all times. I also use them for things other than shopping. They are great for carrying items to a potluck, for taking items you need to a meeting, or for packing items for a trip. The bags are very sturdy and hold more items than a regular plastic bag, which means less trips back and forth from the car to the house when unloading groceries. The canvas bags are more sturdy when holding the groceries and are less likely to tip over in the car while driving. Also, the grocery store I purchased some of the bags from, replaces them for free if they start to rip. So, the next time you are in the checkout line and the clerk asks, "Paper or Plastic", proudly answer, "Canvas"!

Mondays Matter: Week 40

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

THANK A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

-Over 675,000 sworn officers and nearly 295,000 civilian officers protect and serve citizens.

-Over 14 million arrests occur annually for all offenses except traffic violations.

ACTION STEPS

1. Walk up and thank a law enforcement officer for keeping you and your community safe.

2. Pull your car to your right and out of the way when you hear a siren or see a police car approaching with its lights on.

3. Organize your friends, co-workers, neighborhood, or child's classroom to create and deliver a thank-you card to your local law enforcement agency, police station, or town sheriff.

4. Ask your local police department which organizations support them...and donate.

5. Support or start a Neighborhood Watch program in your community.

6. Always report crime.

Several years ago my husband and I attended a Citizen's Police Academy where we were able to go through similiar training and classes that regular officers go through. We were also able to ride along with an officer to see what goes on in the day of a police officer. I learned how difficult some of their days can be, the kind of situations they are put into, the kind of people they have to deal with and the risks that the officers face every single day. It was such an eye opener for me and I have such respect for those officers who spend their days protecting our family. Our town doesn't have a police department or even its own sheriff. We have a county sheriff's department that makes visits to our town on a regular basis. A few years ago I became concerned (along with another mom) about the after-school traffic through town. Numerous children walk home from school and the traffic leaving the high school had become quite dangerous and many were driving down a closed street (closed to keep the kids safe that were getting off busses). So, after calling the sheriff's department, they now make regular visits to sit in town after school and monitor traffic. I am deeply appreciative of their time here and have told them so on many occasions. I just don't want to see one child get hurt because of a careless driver.

Law enforcement officers make an incredible difference in your community. Every day they put their lives at risk to protect you, your neighbors and your loved ones. Thank the next officer you see for their valuable service.

Mondays Matter: Week 39

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

HAVE FUN WITH AN ELDERLY PERSON

-The fastest growing age group is 85 years and older.

-Every 7.5 seconds a baby boomer turns 60.

-1 out of 5 people, or 72 million, will be 65 years or older by 2030

-Nearly 23% of people aged 75 and older live in nursing homes.

-Due to the increase in divorce rates, a decrease in the number of children, and more family members living farther away from one another, family support for the elderly is less available.

ACTION STEPS

1. Offer the elderly you see today simple gestures of courtesy and respect - smile and say "hello", let them have the right of way while driving, or give up your seat in a crowded area.

2. Contact a local independent living, assisted living, or continued care facility and ask if they need volunteers.

3. Ask the facility if children or pets are allowed.

4. Organize a family or a group of friends to go with you.

5. Be prepared. Volunteering at a senior or elderly care home can involve many types of activities - playing games or cards, reading , doing art and craft projects, singing songs, teaching a class, or just being friendly.

6. Ask the seniors questions about their life.

7. HAVE FUN!

Often times while volunteering for Hospice, my patients are often away from family members and live in nursing homes. Just being someone who stops by to visit, read, or just sit with them, can brighten their day. For those who are able, going and calling the bingo games, or having your kids hand out the prizes brings joy to the residents. They enjoy seeing children and you are taking the load off of a staff member. Often times, seniors are living alone in their homes much longer. So, look around your neighborhood. Do you have an elderly person living alone near you? Make a point to stop by for coffee and get to know each other. Today, seniors are living longer, are more full of life, have more expendable income, and have achieved higher levels of education. So, if you spend time with them, you might just find that a friendly game of gin rummy or bingo will teach you a thing or two about life.

Mondays Matter: Week 38

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

DONATE BLOOD

-Every 2 seconds someone needs blood.

-38,000 pints of blood are used every day.

-Demand for blood is rising faster than the rate of donations. In fact, donations are declining.

-1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives - maybe even the life of somone you know.

-60% of the population is eligible to donate, but less than 5% do on a yearly basis.

-Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood once every 56 days.

ACTION STEPS

1. Find a blood donor location near you and schedule an appointment today.

2. Donate blood. The blood donation process takes approximately 30 minutes.

3. When you donate, you'll receive a donor card stating your blood type. Keep the card in your wallet.

4. Put yourself on a regular donating schedule of once every 56 days. If you have type O-negative blood, the universal donor type, your blood is especially needed because it can be used in emergencies.

It is ironic that this is our topic this week. On Wednesdsay, my husband will be donating blood for the very first time. We have a blood drive coming to our small town and he was asked to sign up and he did. My mom is a regular blood donor and I am pretty sure she donates every 56 days. She has gotten numerous "gallon pins" to signify all of her donations of blood. I used to donate plasma twice a week but have never donated blood. Over 5 years ago I had to have several blood transfusions, so I am not sure about the rules relating to receiving blood transfusions and donating blood. We are going to find out this week if I can donate blood. But, I am very thankful to whomever donated their blood for me. Mine was an emergency situation and I needed that blood or I would have died. So, I know how important blood donation is.

Human blood is precious and can't be manufactured outside of the body. If you gave blood 4 times a year for the next 10 years, you would save 120 lives. Think of how many lives you could save if you gave blood for the rest of your life! I can't imagine the amount of lives my mom has saved! What a simple and wonderful gift you can give to someone!

Mondays Matter: Week 37

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

MENTOR A CHILD

-3 million youth are currently involved in a mentoring program.

-15 million youth are in need of mentoring. If they don't get it they're more likely to not reach adulthoood successfully. These youth are: 73% more likely to begin using alcohol, 63% more likely to skip class, 54% more likely to begin using drugs, 48% more likely to skip school.

-Nearly 70% of inner-city 4th graders are unable to read at a basic level.

-Nearly 3 million youth ages 12-15 are at risk of suicide annually, and over 35% will attempt suicide.

ACTION STEPS

1. Find a mentoring program near you and apply to become a mentor.

2. Most mentoring programs will pair you with a child based on your skill set and the child's needs.

3. If their isn't a mentoring program in your area, be a self-starter and START ONE!

4. Spend an hour or two, once a week, with your mentee doing everyday activities like homework, playing sports and having simple conversations.

5. Set goals with your mentee and share in the excitement of their achievement and growth.

I am sure there are many programs that allow you to mentor a child, but the biggest one that comes to mind is Big Brothers/Big Sisters. I know what a great organization this is, and there are more kids than Big Brothers/Sisters. As a parent of young children, I know this isn't something I can add to my schedule right now. But I do try to be involved in other children's lives through volunteering at school and through our churches After School Jams program. We encourage children in the community to come after school and frequently the kids that come don't have parents home after school, and are looking for someone to be there for them.

Find a way to be involved in children's lives. You could be that one person to make a difference and take them down the right path. Kids can do great things if equipped with the right foundation, knowledge, enccouragement, and tools to make the right choices. The decisions they make can change the entire course of their future. What matters most is that YOU CARE!

Mondays Matter: Week 36

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

BE NEIGHBORLY

-The average dual-career couple works away from their home a combined 18.2 hours/day.

-People spend less than 15 minutes/day doing outside chores and gardening compared to over 3 hours watching TV or movies and surfing the internet.

-The average person or family has friends over for dinner about 45% less often than they did in the 70's.

-In 1926, the first electric automated garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson beginning the drive-in-and-shut-the-door method of entering your home.

-The increased number of fenced backyards, coupled with the disappearance of front proches and verandas, has privatized residences more than ever.

ACTION STEPS

1. Meet a neighbor you have never met before. Simply knock on the door and introduce yourself. Take some produce from your garden or something you have baked, or invite them over for a beverage and a snack.

2. Make yourself more available and approachable to your neighbors.

3. Mow your lawn, wash your car, go for a walk, or play with your children outside, and if you see your neighbors doing the same...go outside and visit.

4. Plan a neighborhood yard sale or block party.

5. Write a quarterly neighborhood newsletter.

I know that we are fortunate to live in a very small town, around 700 people. So, we know every one of our neighbors and you can frequently find us standing in someone's driving sharing stories and swapping garden produce or beverages! My neighbors call me if they need sugar, I call them if I need someone to watch my kids for a few minutes. We have "Porch Fridays" with snacks and beverages and the kids all play in the backyards. We have town-wide garage sales, town-wide celebrations, school events, etc. I am so proud to live where we do and I just love all of our neighbors.

Does your mailman know your neighbors better than you do? Change your daily routine, just walk out your front door, visit with your neighbor. Remember, you have to be a good neighbor to have a good neighbor!

Mondays Matter: Week 35

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways to Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

GO EXERCISE!

-More than 50% of adults do NOT get enought physical activity and 24% are not physically active at all.

ACTION STEPS

1. Set a goal for yourself. Think about what types of benefits you want to achieve. Weight loss? Increased muscle mass? Improved general health?

2. Figure out what type of exercise you like most and best suits your desired goal.

3. Create a plan. Start with 3 days a week, 30 minutes a day. Try to build up to 4 or 5 days a week, 45 minutes per day.

4. Drink plenty of water before, during, and afgter exercising.

5. Don't buy into excuses like "I don't have enough time" and "I can't afford a gym membership".

6. Incorporate exercise into your workday by taking the stairs, walking during your lunch break, and stretching while at your desk.

7. Always consult your physician or exercise specialist for safety and guidance.

A few months ago I went to have a "Heart to Heart" screening that our hospital women's center offered. It did lab tests as well as had interview/questionaires to check my lifestyle. I knew going in that I could definately stand to lose a few pounds, but wasn't expecting to hear that my bad cholesterol is a little high and my good cholesterol is a little low. So, I have been trying to add more fruit and vegetables to my diet and have continued my walk routine. My friend, Mary and I walk nearly every day for 2 miles around town. We hold eachother accountable and enjoy our walks so much, they just fly by. I think another important part of exercise is having someone hold you accountable. Whether it is a friend, a spouse, your kids or the cost of a gym membership held over your head, knowing that someone else is counting on you to exercise makes sure that you get it done! I am hoping when I go back in October for my recheck that my numbers are more inline!

Exercise helps prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, lung disease,diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, depression, arthritis, and unwanted pounds. Start slowly and incorporate exercise gradually into your daily routine today!

Mondays Matter: Week 34

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways to Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza.

PICK UP LITTER

-Common litter includes cigarette butts, plastic bags, paper, candy wrappers, fast-food packages, bottle caps, 6-pack can holders, glass bottles and plastic straws: equal to about 180 million tons of trash per year.

-People under age 15 are least likely to litter; people under the age of 25 are most likely to litter when in a group; people over age 25 are most likely to litter when alone.

People litter because they:

-Don't think of the item as litter (ex. cigarette butts).

-View litter removal as someone else's responsibility.

-Lack knowledge about the environmental effects of their littering.

ACTION STEPS

1. Spend 1 hour today picking up litter. Or decide that every time you see a piece of litter today, you'll pick it up and throw it away.

2. If you see someone litter, politely ask them to pick it up. Or pick it up yourself and maybe the person who dropped it will see you and get the hint.

3. Organize a team of neighbors, friends, co-workers, or fellow church members to pick up litter in a specific neighborhood for an hour. Bring rubber gloves and garbage bags and make it more fun by turning the cleanup effort into a game/contest.

4. Enjoy making a difference, getting exercise, geting to know people better, and having cleaner surroundings.

If every person picked up just one piece of litter today, there would be over 300 million fewer pieces of litter, pick up 10 pieces there would be 3 billion fewer pieces damaging our environment. Make an impact on your community and pick up litter. Frequently when I am walking around town, I take a sack with me and pick up litter during my walk. Too often I can fill up a grocery sack just during my walk. So, grab a sack, your kids, your neighbor's kids and take a walk around your area and pick up litter!

Mondays Matter: Week 33

Taken from the book Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways To Make A Difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza

READ A BOOK

-Only 1 in 6 people read 12 or more books a year.

-Leisure reading has declined 7% over the last 10 years.

-55% 0f women compared to 37% of men read for leisure.

-The more books people read, the more active and involved they are in their communities.

-Book buying constitutes less than 6% of total recreational spending while spending on music, videos, computers, and software constitutes roughly 25%.

ACTION STEPS

1. Read a book you've never read before. If you don't have one on your shelf, go to the library or local bookstore or order one online.

2. Join a book club or start one with your friends or co-workers.

3. Give books to people as gifts.

This one is a no brainer for me. I love to read, as you know, if you regularly read my blog. I am in a book club that meets once a month, so I am definately in the 1 in 6 who read 12 books a year. I read many more than that. I love to read and want to show a good example and share my love of reading with our children. I made reading a requirement for this summer and was pleased that each of the boys read 5 chapter books this summer. I know other kids who have read much more, but for my boys who like to be outside and with our busy schedule I was very proud. Reading is exercising the brain and the benefits include improved language skills, vocabulary, and spelling as well as opening your mind to new ideas, perspectives, and information. Take time out to read today, read to your children, read to a person in the nursing home, read a fiction novel, read a non-fiction book...it doesn't matter. Read what you enjoy!