Calm | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sundays – Part 80

28 Aug 2016 33 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Pride, Quote, Serene, Serene Sunday, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Do not be so proud and do not laugh at others or the less fortunate, your boat is still out at sea and who knows what is yet to come your way.” Kabir Ji from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Fishing through wonderful quotes, Spidey and I found this one. It is from the Sikh Holy Book, the eleventh and ever-living Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

It is so easy to find humour in the misfortunes of others. I think no one could really be able to promise, hand on heart, that they have never had a giggle at that stranger tripping up in the street, or the countless videos that circulate social media, cashing in on others and their unfortunate circumstances.

We are all a little guilty of that, and to some extent, I feel that it is ok, if the joke is being laughed at, by the person who is the subject of it.

But the reality of this quote is more to do with those who have plenty, are lucky in life, and still find the time in their pampered lives to sneer at those who don’t have it all.

Thing is, no one knows what the future holds. Who knows if and when your life could get upended, and those with it ‘all’ lose it at the drop of a hat, and equally, those with nothing, by some stroke of luck, or through sheer hard work, end up the ones with all they could want.

We are all born equal.

Our location, circumstance, colour, wealth, health, means nothing to a baby, and even to a small child. Watch small children and how they interact with everyone without prejudice. It is only as they grow that the seeds of doubt are planted.

So if you are one of life’s more fortunate ones, be grateful for what you have, and never ridicule others for what they don’t have. And if you are still waiting for that luck to hit you, never lose hope, no one knows what is round the corner!

Have a blissful Sunday Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 77

07 Aug 2016 33 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Quote, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Thoughts

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein

Is this not something we surely need to tackle?

What truth.

We, as humans, have evolved and developed, and as we have grown and changed, so has the world around us. From the foods we grow and eat, to the way we dress, from the way we move, to the way we communicate.

Development has also coloured our thinking, conditioned us to feel certain ways about particular races/religions/ animals/foods.

If we truly want to be able to view a future for our children, that doesn’t hold a sense of dread, a future where we feel excitement at what it may hold for them, then somehow, we need to all change our thinking.

Open mindedness, freedom of though, belief and speech, letting go of stereotypes.

When something bad happens, the punishment needs to punish the doers, not the rest of the community loosely connected to them by colour or faith.

We need to not be afraid to hold a hand out to help others in need.

I love this wave of RAoKs (Random Acts of Kindness).

But why is it random?

Why can’t it just be part of our nature?

Why are we so fixated on our looks and size?

There weren’t scales thousands of years ago. It’s what we see around us that subconsciously tells us what is right and what is wrong, what is hot and what is not. Because society and the media told us so.

Take time to ponder. Try and see which part of your thinking could do with a refresh…

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps!

❤️

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 75

24 Jul 2016 19 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” – Willa Cather

I think this is a particularly apt quote for me today, thanks Spidey!

My life during the academic year is definitely a bit of a storm! And during that storm, I learn a huge amount! Under pressure to perform, you learn all sorts of things to help you keep going, especially towards the end of the academic year, and it is important to appreciate the experience of colleagues you work with too. They have weathered these storms many years in a row, and have some amazing coping techniques!

Equally, in the calm of the holidays, there are so many other things out there, open to being learnt. You can learn so much about yourself, at a time when you can finally think of yourself somewhat.

That is what I am planning to do, over the next 6 weeks. Find myself, write more, and give my time to my family! In the process, I am sure I will learn lots about myself too!

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps! I will be chilling, and packing, ready to go to my parents for a few days!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 74

17 Jul 2016 29 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Quote, rest, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Sometimes you need to do the right thing by yourself too, not just think of what is good for everyone else.” Ritu Bhathal

Today, I don’t even really have the energy to help Spidey an inspirational quote by someone else so, Spidey noted what I was saying to him instead!

Today is my day. By that I mean, I am not going to live it depending on a whole host of outside factors.

Of course, my own little family will be around, and things will be done accordingly, but for the rest of the world, I am not available.

It’s the end of the academic year. There is one week of term left.

As a teacher, I am dragging myself to school every day, counting the days until we can officially say holidays are here.

As a mum, I am already wondering what I need to do to keep my own two munchkins occupied over the 6 weeks.

As a wife, I know I want to give more time to my long-suffering, neglected Hubby Dearest.

But in order to do all this, I need energy, and that is what I am lacking!

I have had a hectic 2 weeks, with the emotional and mental stress of the school inspectors coming (still no result, we’ll find out in September!), visiting new pupils, and encouraging the old, and physical exhaustion due to the late nights that preparations have caused.

This is not including the over-tiredness from hosting some lovely family who came over to visit. They didn’t expect much from us, but when you have visitors, you need an alertness of some sort, and I can create that, via the second wind syndrome, but now I’m all out.

I feel the need for a charger to be plugged into me, as my battery is totally depleted!

There is a function at the temple today, and the responsible Ritu feels the need to go, but this time I have realised that the more I push myself, the harder I will find everything. So I am not going. Some people may not like that, but I don’t care!

I am chilling. We may even take the kids out somewhere later, but for now, I’m thinking of me!

So please Peeps, have a restful Sunday. Take time out for yourself as well as others out there! I plan to!