Look for the Helpers

Happy Friday Everyone!   I watched a movie the last couple of mornings while I was in my basement exercising before school...I know, I know, I watch way too much TV, but at least I was exercising at the same time, right!?!  Anyway, the movie was called, The Map of All the Tiny Perfect Things ...I don't want to spoil the movie if you decide to watch it, but it centers on the idea that mixed in with all the broken parts of life, there are many, many, tiny perfect things that happen too. The movie reminds the watcher that if we focus only on the negative, we might miss the tiny and perfect.  It's those perfect things that get us through - tide us over - when the hard parts seem to want to take over.     So what kinds of tiny perfect things do I mean?   Think... A flower growing through a crack on a sidewalk, belting out, and nailing, the lyrics of a favorite song,  a perfectly shaped cloud in the sky, looking at just the right place at...

It's Thursday People, and obviously, it's late!   It's been a day...all good, just busy, and I haven't had time to get a post out until now, but I am not going to break the streak of days getting something fun and inspirational out to you all, so here's a little fun...   I love Nathan W. Pyle comics!  Wouldn't it be funny if we played the floor is lava at school!  If Dona just said over the speaker, the floor is lava one day!  I bet the teachers would all wonder what was going on as kids hopped up on desks and chairs.  😂 And something serious too... That's what I've got today, folks!  See you all tomorrow!   Go be awesome! Mrs. Hempey

Happy Wednesday Everyone, I had this idea for my blog today about finding the balance point, and I find it a bit ironic that I am posting it on a Wednesday...on our balance point of the week.  Two days down, two more to go.    I am going to get brave here and post a video of myself doing something that I am not yet good at, something I think I look a little wonky doing,  and something that, at 44 years young, I may realistically never master, but I think the video is a good metaphor for life.  Soooooooo...have a look... So for those of you that don't bike - and let's be clear, I am nothing special on my bike, I simply enjoy riding - I want to explain what is happening here.  I mentioned in an earlier post that my family and I have been watching mountain biking videos a lot recently.  We learned about these manual trainers.  A manual is when you pop up and ride on your back wheel for a short distance.  The trainer, the wooden support you see i...

Happy Tuesday at Home! I've seen this clip pop up on my social media before, but when I ran across it again this past weekend, I felt like I couldn't not share it!   What a little sweetie!  And I love his message, which was originally sung by Bob Marley in, Three Little Birds .   In his song, Don't Worry Be Happy , Bobby McFerrin also reminds us not to worry, but to be happy! Yes, I know, many of you will say, "well, it's just not that simple, Mrs. Hempey!"  And I don't disagree.  It's not like we have a magic wand that we can wish away all of our troubles with (even though I ask kids the magic wand question a lot - "if you had a magic wand, what would you like to be different?")  But it is worth reminding yourself when you have a problem, that those problems need to be put into perspective and can often times be improved if we practice having a positive frame.   Here are some examples:   You get a low score on an assessment......

Happy Monday Everyone! This is the last week in the roll-up to mid-winter break, and often times we're really digging deep this week.  Perseverance may be needed to get to the other side of the week.  But have no fear...I, of course, have just what you need to get inspired today.  Have a look at how incredibly nimble and determined the IBEX is.   One of the things I like about the ibex story is that it's their natural instincts and abilities that take over in the face of this sheer climb and great danger.  It's a good reminder to us all that we often need to trust our instincts more and trust our natural abilities.  (I am not suggesting you go scale a dam!  😂) Sometimes, we all worry so much about whether or not we can do something, that we give up before we even try.  As long as the "thing" we want to do or accomplish is a healthy risk, try to take the "what ifs" out, and just trust your gut and your skills.  Generally, our fears of fa...

Happy Friday Everyone! Sunday is Valentine's day, so I thought I'd give you a little setlist of a few songs that were popular when I was your age...  How about Simple Minds, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" Ahhhh, those ill-fitting clothes, those days were the best - or at least the most comfortable! Or maybe you prefer a little Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald?  Here is, "On My Own."  The hair was so big!! And here is a personal fav...Pat Benatar's "We Belong" The waterfall...and the choir - my word...you can't make this stuff up!  So fun! I loved Richard Marx!  He's up next with, "Right Here Waiting." This video dates itself right from the start with the pay-phone call! Here's the song that started this little trip down (the '80s) memory lane.  I heard it last night as I was going to sleep... Cindy Lauper's record was one of the first three records I owned...the others were Michael Jackson's, "Thrille...

Happy Thursday Everyone!   We've made it over the hump for the week, and after Friday, we have just one week until vacation, so let's continue to work together to get through this last "dark" part of the year.  I feel like once we return from the February break in March, the days are getting longer and warmer, and the promise of spring just around the corner lifts the spirits!  Until then you can keep reading my blog for a daily dose of feel good!  Today I wanted to talk about this idea... I both like and dislike this sentiment.  I wish that the word "faults" had not been used.  I wish the quote said, "when you appreciate your... challenges or differences, or the things that make you feel different ...they lose their power over you."   I mean what is a fault exactly?   If a fault is that you are negative, or shy, or too exuberant - you can choose to do something about these things if you wish, but they are not "faults" that you are ...