Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and rested from the weekend. I hope you managed to relax and have some fun. This weekend was busy in the Bennett household . . . it wasn’t supposed to be but lots of last minute plans happened! I spent Saturday morning working, catching up with the week and making sure that everything was in place for this week. I went to work with Mr Bennett so we sat in his office together, enjoying the sun beaming through the windows, drank coffee and worked – it was a very productive morning. The afternoon was spent outside – tidying up a somewhat neglected garden. It is amazing how quickly everything grows at this time of year especially with the rain and warmth. On Saturday evening, I went out with my dad for dinner and then we went to a microbrewery and did (a very hard) pub quiz. Sunday was spent cheering on one of our best friends who completed the Nottingham half marathon in a very impressive 1hr and 35 minutes and having a long lunch with friends and then spending the evening with Arthur, Amelie, my brother, dad and sister-in-law (and of course, Mr Bennett). Watching the finishers at the half marathon was inspirational – I really wish I was blessed with the running gene – I used to run and I ran a lot but it never came naturally to me and I used to find it really hard going (even when I was relatively good!). I envy natural runners and the peace and tranquillity that it must bring them. For now, a good long walk will have to do me . . . that’s my peace and tranquillity in what is a very chaotic and busy world!
I read something at the end of a day last week – it had been a particularly challenging day due to many different things such as slow traffic on the motorway, traffic lights out at a really busy junction, my computer closing itself down in the middle of an important piece of work, losing my diary, dropping my bag and watching the contents fall out all over the carpark to finally the petrol station having no petrol on my way home! I had one of those days where nothing was going right. Nothing major, nothing catastrophic, just one of those days where you feel that the world is conspiring against you. . . I got home, ate my dinner and went to bed. The first thing that popped up on my social media when I got into bed, is what I am going to share with you today. It didn’t make everything ok, it didn’t solve any of the issues that I had had that day but it did give me a tiny slither of hope. It reminded me that tomorrow is a new day and it is ok to admit that today hasn’t been the best. It’s ok that it’s not ok. . . I hope it helps you, like it did me, at some point in the coming days, weeks or months.
“Everything isn’t fine” said Rabbit.
“You’re right, it’s not, but somehow, together, were going to make it through” replied Bear.
Simple, honest but a very meaningful two sentences.
Quote of the week: “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Dolly Parton
Well-being tasks for this week: These are all based on self-care September. We need to learn to let go of the thought that self-care is selfish, it isn’t – it’s essential to keep us well and thriving! These tasks and ideas are good for all ages.
Tuesday 26 September – Find a new way to use on of your strengths or talents
Wednesday 27 September – Free up sometime by cancelling unnecessary plans
Thursday 28 September – Choose to see your mistakes as steps to help you learn
Friday 29 September – Write down three things that you appreciate about yourself
Saturday 30 September – Remind yourself that you are enough, just as you are
Sunday 1 October – Write down three things that you are looking forward to each month
Monday 2 October– Find a positive in each day
Jokes of the week:
Why won’t the elephant use the computer?
He’s afraid of the mouse!
Which are the stronger days of the week?
Saturday and Sunday. The rest are weekdays.
What did the math book tell the pencil?
I have a lot of problems.
Where can you find an ocean without water?
On a map!
Why do fish swim in salt water?
Pepper makes them sneeze.
If you think you can do any better, please send your jokes to me and I can include them in The Bulletin.
Conversation starters:
If you had a million pounds, what would you buy first?
What is the one thing that you would change about the world?
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 heading to Norfolk this weekend and feeling the sea air on my face
- I am looking forward to watching a documentary that I have been meaning to watch for weeks
- I am looking forward to October and all it brings
- I am grateful for friends, in and out of work, who have helped me in the last week
- I am grateful for the children in school – they make me smile each and every day
Sleeps til Santa: 89 sleeps. . .that’s only 12 Mondays left until Christmas day. . .so many films to watch, so little time!
Have the best week and enjoy everything that you do,
Take care of yourselves and each other,
Love
Mrs Bennett
