Gratitude | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #424 – Attitude of Gratitude

23 Apr 2023 30 Comments

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

“The smile on my face doesn’t mean my life is perfect. It means that despite my challenges, I choose to focus on my blessings.”
Anonymous

I love this way of thinking, Spidey. Thank you for finding this quote.

I am a firm believer in the thought of ‘enough’.

We could all wish for lots of wealth, success, material things, fame (if that’s what you want), the perfect body, and health.

But there is never a guarantee that you will achieve many of the above.

I feel blessed in my life that I have a nuclear and extended family I can rely on. We have a beautiful roof over our heads with a gorgeous furbaby. My children are a blessing in themselves after our struggles with fertility.

I am blessed with friends and colleagues I can call friends. I have my writer friends, blog friends, mum crew friends, and old-school friends with whom I am still in touch.

We do not want for food or clothes. We have cars and all the white goods many take for granted.

I have a job. And I am blessed that it is a job that I have wanted ever since I was young.

Through hard work and the support of many people I met here via this blog, I have achieved my dream of being published.

But there are struggles. Struggles I choose not to speak about, all of the time. And struggles that I have opened up about.

Because, despite these struggles, I know I am blessed.

And for that, I will be forever grateful.

So, Peeps, how often do you practice gratitude for what you have?😊

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #410 and #JusJoJan the 15th, 2023 – Gratitude

15 Jan 2023 24 Comments

by Ritu in #jusjojan Tags: #jusjojan, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Gratitude

We’re doing an amalgamation of posts here today, with Spidey (with his newly spruced-up graphic!), and Linda’s #JusJoJan, together!

Welcome to the daily prompt! Today is your fifteenth prompt for Just Jot it January 2023, and it’s brought to you by Carol Aanne. Thank you, Carol Anne! Please be sure to visit Carol Anne’s blog to read her post and say hello. And follow her while you’re there, if you’re not already.
Linda

Your prompt for JusJoJan, January 15th 2023, is “Gratitude.” Use the word “gratitude” any way you’d like. Have fun writing!

“Even in the chaos of everyday life, moments of gratiutde remind us to hold on to the good things.”
Brit Morin

And you found a lovely quote to add to this duo post, Spidey, thank you!

It’s easy to fixate on everything we think we want and only exclaim our gratitude when those wishes come true, but it is important to realise that everything around us should elicit some form of thankfulness.

The clean(ish) air we breathe, the water we drink, the roof over our head, the food in our cupboards, the car we may drive, the clothes on our backs, and our health.

Sure, not everything we have may be perfect, but you know what, and I have said this many times before, enough is key.

Be grateful for having enough.

Because there are people out there who have less and can still show gratitude.

They are the people we should learn lessons from.

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 406 – Festively Appreciated

18 Dec 2022 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Christmas, end of term, Gratitude

“May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are tand the difference you make.”
Anon

The first Sunday of the holidays, and exactly a week to Christmas!

I won’t lie. I am relieved the holidays are here. It’s been a tough term from September up to now, peppered with huge ups and downs.

The children were ready for the break, my team were ready for the break, and I was definitely ready!

It’s a tougher time this year for many families with the cost of living crisis going on, and yet families still found it in their hearts to stretch to gifts for the staff looking after their children.

I was touched, and even more so this year, all things considered.

A card would suffice, over even a Merry Christmas at the door, but still, we left feeling spoilt.

And I am filled with gratitude. 🙏🏽

I have to give a special shout-out to my Secret Santa who gave me a beautiful plaque for my writing room too! It is already up, in pride of place!

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A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

Now we just need to prepare for the big day itself. I still have presents to buy and foodie bits to purchase. Christmas Day will be with the in-laws, then Pops and Mum are coming on Boxing Day for a few days, so I will cook a round two Christmas dinner for when they are here!

So, tell me, are you finished and prepared for Christmas, yet??