life choices – Page 2 – Pernille Ripp

Those Little Words

December 7, 2011 Pernille Ripp

I am proud of you.
Look at what you did.
You can do this.
Explain this to me
What else can happen?
Thank you for today.

Small words, big meaning. Those words we choose to share with those we surround ourselves with every day. Those words we do not ponder or carefully measure out. Those words we do not plan for, study, or write down lest they be forgotten. Those are often the words that carry the most weight to our students, to our colleagues, to ourselves.

A smile, a hug, or even a look in the eye. Those speak volumes every day. The little things we do matter more than we know, so be aware and give enough of the happiness you should feel waking up every day knowing that you are part of the change, of the hope, of the incredible world that is ours.

life choices

Rain Puddles

May 12, 2011 Pernille Ripp

Today, freshly picked up from daycare, my two year old Thea ran out out of the car and into the nearest puddle. Free from inhibitions, my husband blames this on me, she jumped and jumped until her pants were soaked. Thinking nothing of this minor obstacle, she quickly sat down in the puddle, took her sandals off, then her pants, and then her diaper for good measure. As I stood there watching her so uninhibited enjoying the freshly made rain puddles, I quieted the voice in my head that told me to get her inside. That voice that warned me of germs, and colds, and what will the neighbors think. And so there she sat in her puddle, by then eating a popsicle she had begged for and she said “swimming mommy, I swimming.” In her head this puddle was the biggest swimming pool she could have ever asked for. In her head life at that very moment offered her everything that she wanted; no clothes, water, and a delicious treat.

So I let her play and was once again reminded that it is okay to back off. It is ok to not reprimand or remind of the rules. It is even okay to sit with your butt in a rain puddle if it happens to be the perfect day for that. Thea will be just fine.

being a teacher, choices, life choices, Passion, students

Today I Choose to be Happy

May 11, 2011 Pernille Ripp

Image from I Can Read

This morning as I woke up. I chose to be happy. It was not a hard decision, the temperature has finally reached above 60, the birds were chirping, my husband was there. And yet, I made a choice to be that way. When I get to my classroom this morning, I will also choose to greet my students with a smile, give them a run-down of our day and end it with a “I am so excited for today.” I do this every day and my students crack up, after all, how can one teacher be so excited about every single day?

The attitude we bring into our classrooms is a choice, and a very important one. There has certainly been days where I have chosen to be in an awful mood, stress will do that to you, but when those kids walk in our door, then I choose differently. I don’t believe in putting on a show for the kids but I do believe in giving them my best, after all, they choose to come to school excited as well. So together we get excited, sometimes we choose to be mellow and snuggle in with books in our special reading spots, other times we meditate on the floor, whatever we do, we choose it together.

So today I choose to be happy and just a little bit goofy. The school year is winding down, my students are having harder time focusing, so together we will not just get through the day, we will experience it. Every moment is a choice we make, whether we acknowledge it or not. What do you choose?

being a teacher, choices, inspiration, life choices, students

Choose Your Message

March 31, 2011 Pernille Ripp

With the waves of uncertainty surrounding us, I remain steadfast in my commitment to my students. I remain steadfast in my commitment to my family, to myself, and to my dream of positivity. To say that life is stressful would be an understatement. Personal life-changing issues abound, as well as professional ones, yet I remain steadfast in my dedication.

We choose what we portray. We choose the message that we bring. And although life may be very hard, we choose how we deal with it. This time has tested me to the core, and yet I choose to smile. I choose to exhibit hope and positivity, fore I choose to stay above water and not get pulled down. So ask yourself, what do you choose? What do you bring in with you when you show up at work or at home? What is it people will leave your conversations feeling like?

As teachers we affect more than just our students. We affect all the staff in our schools, and we affect how the children entrusted to us, go home and in turn affect their families. We have an immense opportunity and indeed responsibility to have a positive effect on all the paths we cross. So yes, I get how tough it is right now, and no, I am not a saint. I have bad days, I have horrible days, but I cannot focus on those. I have to remember why I am here in the first place; to make a difference, and not a bad one.

We speak of peer pressure as if it is a always a bad thing. I exert my peer pressure but use my powers for good rather than evil. I choose to continue to focus on a message of positivity, of challenging oneself to not be the pebble, and hope that I can influence others to do the same. Perhaps it will be cool again to smile? Perhaps laughing will become the new “it” thing to do. Who knows? I choose to remain dedicated.