Calm | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 93

27 Nov 2016 30 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Quotes, rest, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“A change is as good as a rest .” -origins unknown.

So ‘they ‘ say… and I’m all for this saying. But it doesn’t always quite work out!

I’m currently sat at my in laws house on a Sunday Morning. We had an impromptu sleepover last night.

Cue frantic rushing back and forth to collect various items for the kids, food and water replenished for our furbaby Sonu Singh who would be flying solo for the night, and various chargers and electronic gadgets!

Hubby Dearest wanted to do this for ages. A night in his old home. Mum and dad in law are away visiting the Motherland at the moment so my bro and sis in law are home alone.

We’ve had a good time. A relaxing evening together and I think the kids had fun too.

But… I’m afraid I got no rest.

I slept with Lil Princess and Hubby Dearest slept with Lil Man.

And the girl snuffled her way through the night, then started whimpering.

A nightmare in which a class mate of hers was strangling her (!!??) meant she slept fitfully. Meaning I did too.

And my natural body clock wakes me around 6.30 as well, so a late night, coupled with the automatic wake up call meant not much sleep.

Then there’s the fact that it wasn’t my bed! Nothing can match your own bed for a good night’s sleep!

But… ever positive, it was a good time to reconnect with the family. Since mum and dad have gone we have been spending more time, just the four of us, rather than with the others. It was needed!

The kids are trying out badminton coaching this afternoon . .. I may take the opportunity to catch up on my sleep !!!

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps!!!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 91

13 Nov 2016 31 Comments

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

“No outward change need trouble him who is inwardly serene.” – Hosea Ballou

I think we are all troubled, to some extent, by occurrences of this week.

We’ve had Donald Trump getting elected as President of the United States, a thought that didn’t even seem feasible! But then no one thought Brexit would have happened, and it did!

The Indian Prime Minister has decided to target black money circulating in India, and with no notice, has withdrawn 500 and 1000 rupee notes, causing havoc and commotion, not only among the ones who were illegally hoarding cash, but also the many poorer people who have no bank accounts, and can only use cash.

These are only two issues from the week, and they are biggies. The changes that will occur due to these two events will have a tsunami effect on millions of people.

In life though, it’s not only the big changes that can shock your world to the core. Some small changes affect certain people hugely.

From an upheaval at work, to a family member coming to stay. New baby on the way, or a death in the family. Your local supermarket changing their layout (that can be sooo stressful!) to traffic on the way to work.

But it’s all about how you handle these changes, however big or small. If you are sure of yourself on the inside, you can handle whatever comes your way.

It is so important to approach change with caution.
Try not to rush into any decisions, but take a little time to ponder.
Think about what the changes are, and how they are likely to affect you.
Try not to get worked up or over excited.
Control your feelings, so you don’t say anything you may regret.

They are all quite hard to do but I have seen others who take this approach, and they tend to not be overly affected by changes in their lives.

I try hard to be the same. It is not easy. I have a tendency to open my mouth then try so hard to push words back in, but it’s too late to stop them then! However, if I try hard to stay calm, stay rational, I can usually manage to cope with situations without putting my foot where it doesn’t belong!

Stay safe Peeps, and have a calm, and restful Sunday on this Armistice Day, with no major changes happening, unless they’re positive for you!!!!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 90

06 Nov 2016 40 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Positive Thinking, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

Life has a way of throwing some pretty tough punches in your direction. Sometimes those hits can really wind you.

How you deal with those hits, now that is a matter only you can decide upon.

You could curl up into a little ball, feel sorry for yourself, licking your wounds, and make a decision that you can’t get up again, losing the battle.

Or you could take stock of what happened, and plan a strategy where you get up, and fight back. Show the world you’re stronger than that.

I’ve said this before but I do firmly believe that though it may not feel it at the time, He only throws the punches he knows we can deal with because He knows of our inner strength. It’s up to us to find the inner strength to get past whatever barrier is keeping us down.

Seriously, look back on your life I am sure you can pinpoint tough times, downward spirals, where you thought that nothing would ever get better.

Now take a look at yourself now.

You are still here.

You are still standing.

You got through it.

See, He knew you could do it, now keep that faith in yourself alive too!

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps, and Spidey and I will be back next week!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 89 – Diwali Special

30 Oct 2016 41 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Quote, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“It’s better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness.” – Unknown

Spidey and I thought it would be good to dedicate today to Diwali, or Bandi Chhor Divas, the Festival of Lights, as us Sikhs, and Hindus out there celebrate annually

If you are unaware of the festival, please read about it here. I posted last year about why we celebrate!

The quote Spidey found was ideal, in my eyes.

It is full of positivity.

We light candles, or divas, today, to celebrate the coming out of the darkness of our of our Gurus.

But that candle is metaphoric. To me, it symbolises one positive thought or action that we could make, to release us from the negativity of the world. One thought in the right direction that could make what seems to be a situation of no hope, into a situation of possibilities.

To me, it symbolises one positive thought or action that we could make, to release us from the negativity of the world. One thought in the right direction that could make what seems to be a situation of no hope, into a situation of possibilities.

Today, I will spend Diwali with my family, enjoying our time together. We will go to the temple and literally light a candle, and in turn, ignite a flame of hope that positivity reigns in this world.

So now Peeps, I am off to celebrate, light candles, eat lots, and have fun!

If you are celebrating, a very Happy Diwali to you!

If you aren’t, my wishes of happiness and prosperity, and an abundance of positive light, are still winging their way out to you!

Enjoy your day Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 88

23 Oct 2016 33 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Positive Thinking, Quote, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“It never gets easier, you just get better” – Unknown

What a great thought!

Life.

It sure tests us, and I think we all know that those simple days of childhood were a breeze, compared to the trials and tribulations of adulthood. Dealing with studies, then jobs, relationships and families. What we wouldn’t give to go back to those days…

But then if you did, you’d find that those days were just as hard. Because you hadn’t grown up yet. Learning to share your toys, finding out that broccoli isn’t actually that bad, knowing that reading a few pages of Topsy and Tim isn’t actually a tough homework task… You don’t know that then, but for a child, those are the world’s biggest problems!

But we all overcome them. We become good at these skills, and we develop as humans over the years. Those childhood struggles hardly seem worth worrying about, but at that time, they were biggies for you!

Each age brings a new set of difficulties, which we trundle through, feeling like they may be the end of the world, but actually, they aren’t because when the next stage of life arrives bringing its new worries, you realise you had it good before.

The reality is that you learned to deal with the struggles that were bringing you down, and Life knew you could do it, so they chucked you another bunch of difficulties to wind your way through.

And Life knows you can get through this set too.

I’m a firm believer in the thought that God only throws you what He knows you can deal with. You just have to find the strength within to deal with it, and you’ll come out the other end stronger, wiser and happier.

So today, look at whatever difficulty you may be facing,and know you can get through it. Have faith in yourself. I have faith in you too!

Happy Sunday Peeps 😊