Good morning, Prep School family,
Happy British Pie Week 2023, everyone! What a great week in the British calendar – everybody loves a pie – sweet or savoury – short crust or puff pastry – hot or cold – fully enclosed or just a pastry lid (this is very controversial in our house!) . . . delicious!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend? Mine was good – it was spent doing the usual things like the washing, a bit of cleaning, getting new wiper blades for the car, seeing the family, reading, a bit of pruning in the garden and food shopping! Nothing too exciting but very wholesome! We also went ‘out out’ on Saturday night for a friend’s birthday – good food, amazing company and free flowing adult beverages always makes for a memorable evening!
As I have shared with you all before, March is a tricky month for me personally and the first few weeks are especially hard. For me, it’s a time of deep reflection, very, very fond memories and heightened emotions. It’s a time that I am extremely grateful for my family and friends for the support they provide but I’m also thankful for the wonderful madness that is school to keep me distracted. March such a beautiful time of year – the blossom is beginning to flower, the daffodils are beginning to bloom, the sun (obviously not this week with the snow, sleet and freezing temperatures forecast) is out more and the days are getting noticeably long. The month of March, for me, is the time of the year I appreciate everyone and everything a little bit more than usual.
As I wrote last week, as this month is Mindful March in the Prep School, all of my Bulletins will be based on sharing positivity and making others feel good. I am again going to share another piece of writing I stumbled across this weekend from Ben Fogle – he is quickly turning into one of my favourite people to follow on social media. His message is simple but so important for us all.
Kindness
Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
It is easier to be kind than angry. It is humanities greatest asset.
If we all showed a little bit more kindness and compassion, the world would be a much better place.
Kindness is so much more than a single act – it is a state of mind, it is an attitude.
To be kind to others costs nothing but means everything.
A warm smile to a stranger can make someone’s day.
I was taught to always be kind and considerate to others.
Just because someone carries it well, it does not mean that it is easy.
Being kind has been clinically proven to have positive effects on our own mental health.
Think of it like this. . .kindness is like loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness.
Let your smile change the world but do not let the world change your smile.
If you do one thing today, be kind to others.
Quote of the week: “Remember you are the one who can fill the world with sunshine.” – Snow White
Well-being tasks for this week: Mindful March
The task this month are set to help us take time to look within. Learning to be more mindful and aware can do wonders for our well-being in all areas of our life. It helps us tune in with our relationships, our feelings and stops us dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It also helps us to identify the things that we are grateful for which is scientifically proven to raise out happiness levels.
Tuesday 7 March – Take three calm breaths at regular intervals today
Wednesday 8 March –Eat mindfully – appreciate the taste, texture and smell of your food
Thursday 9 March –Take a full breath in and out before you reply to others
Friday 10 March – Get outside and feel the weather – no matter the conditions
Saturday 11 March – Enjoy a drink and five minutes peace from everything around you
Sunday 12 March – Listen carefully to someone and really hear what they are saying
Monday 13 March – Pause and watch the sky and the clouds for a few moments
Jokes of the week:
Why did the vegetable call the plumber?
It had a leek.
What did the vegetable say to its love?
I love you from my head to-ma-toes.
Why does beetroot always win?
They are un-beet-able.
Why was the artichoke so generous?
It had a big heart!
What did one cheese scientist say to the other?
You’re brie-lliant!
Sleeps til Santa: 292 sleeps til Santa
5 things that I am grateful for or looking forward to this week:
Can you try this simple exercise in gratitude and positivity?
- I am looking forward to snow! Please let us have some!
- I am looking forward to finishing my book – I have just got to a cliff hanger part. . .
- I am looking forward to a time where there are no road works in Sutton Coldfield!
- I am grateful for the ever lighter mornings
- I am grateful for my log burner
Have a lovely week and enjoy every moment. Look after those that you love and hold your special ones extra close this week.
Sending you lots of happy thoughts,
With love,
Mrs Bennett
