Good morning, Prep School family,
Welcome to what seems like day 93473 of January! In some ways it’s been a very long month with still a week left before February but in other ways the days are speeding by – I cannot believe there are only 13 days left until half term! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was full of birthday celebrations – my mother in law, father in law, brother in law and two nieces all have their birthdays within the space of 3 days so as you can imagine, this weekend was full of wrapping paper and cake!
Last week was Winnie the Pooh Day, for those of you that have been with us for a while, will know that I refer to Winnie the Pooh in my Bulletins occasionally. I thought that this week, I would share the below story with you again as I haven’t done so in a while. It is a reminder to just check in on those around us – friends, family and neighbours. We often don’t know how someone is really feeling on the inside but a simple gesture of friendship is often enough to make a very big difference. You can be that difference.
It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn’t heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore’s stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.
“Hello Eeyore,” said Pooh.
“Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet,” said Eeyore, in a glum sounding voice.
“We just thought we’d check in on you,” said Piglet, “because we hadn’t heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay.”
Eeyore was silent for a moment. “Am I okay?” he asked, eventually. “Well, I don’t know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That’s what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather sad, and alone, and not much fun to be around at all. Which is why I haven’t bothered you. Because you wouldn’t want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is sad, and alone, and not much fun to be around at all, would you now.”
Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.
Eeyore looked at them in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“We’re sitting here with you,” said Pooh, “because we are your friends. And true friends don’t care if someone is feeling sad, or alone, or not much fun to be around at all. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are.”
“Oh,” said Eeyore. “Oh.” And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.
Because Pooh and Piglet were there.
No more; no less.
Quote of the week: “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left in it” – Winnie the Pooh
Well-being tasks for this week: These tasks for are for a happier January. The best way to try to handle our difficult emotions and experiences is by focusing on what we can control. This month focus on small steps to try to boost happiness – for ourselves and others around us – to spread kindness and hopefully inspire others to do the same
Tuesday 23 January – Put away digital devices and focus on being in the moment
Wednesday 24 January – Take a small step towards an important goal
Thursday 25 January – Decide to lift people up rather than put them down
Friday 26 January – Choose one of your strengths and find a way to use it today
Saturday 27 January – Challenge your negative thoughts and look for the upside
Sunday 28 January – Ask other people about things that they have enjoyed recently
Monday 29 January – Say hello to a neighbour and get to know them better
Jokes of the week:
What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
A snowball.
What do you call a snowman on rollerblades?
A snowmobile.
What do you call a snowman in the summer?
A puddle.
What do snowmen eat for lunch?
Icebergers.
What do you call a penguin in the Sahara desert?
Lost!
Conversation starters:
What would life be like if no one had a phone?
If you could make a new animal, what would it be?
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 catching up with lots of friends, it’s a sociable weekend for The Bennetts!
- I am looking forward to going out for dinner on Thursday evening
- I am looking forward to starting a new book
- I am grateful for the sunshine
- I am grateful for the evenings that are gradually getting lighter
Sleeps til Santa: 336 sleeps. . .
Have a great week and have lots of fun.
With much love,
Mrs Bennett
