Spidey’s Serene Sundays | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 85

02 Oct 2016 29 Comments

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

“I never get tired of smiling. I’m just the kind of guy who likes to smile.” – Jason Ritter

I can really relate to this one, but I am, instead, the kind of ‘girl’ who likes to smile!

I am shattered today, had a busy day yesterday, and we slept at 2am, and kids, as they are, woke me at 7am… so Ritu on 5 hours sleep is not particularly attentive, but I can still raise a smile!

Yesterday, as I was doing the grocery shopping, I danced the aisle dance with an elderly gentleman, you know the one where you meet at the same point on each aisle, as you are walking in opposite directions, but going the same way?

Every time we passed, we smiled. And it developed into a short comment exchange with a giggle.

Ultimately we stopped to have a proper chat. (Thank goodness the kids weren’t with me, they would have been pulling at my sleeve to walk away!) The first thing he said to me was “How lovely to see someone with a smile for a stranger, and a sense of humour too!”

He went on to comment that it’s so rare to see people sparing a smile for others they don’t know, or to have a little laugh at a situation they find themselves in.

He was in his 70’s and in the 5 minutes I spoke with him, I found out that he had gone to the school I taught at in the 40’s, that he had a son and a daughter, and 4 grandchildren he was very proud of, and that they played sports like my kids. We discussed the benefits of hands-on parenting vs. electronic parenting too….

This little exchange only occurred because of a stray smile…

I love these little random conversations that I end up having at odd times!

So, go on Peeps, smile at a stranger today (not in a creepy way, though!), you might make someone’s day!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 60 – Back To School Editionn

10 Apr 2016 37 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Back to school, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, inspiration, Quotes, Salm, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sundays

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – Unknown

As we are nearing the dreaded back to school moment, I know student and teacher alike are wishing for another week, before the grindstone starts turning.

This is the term when assessments like the SAT’s and GCSE’s and A-Levels are going to be a big thing. Of course those students are going to stress. There are huge hopes pinned on great results, and it is nerve wracking to even contemplate. I was a wreck at exam time. Testing and me did not go. But I did it.

And if you students think the teachers don’t get affected by your stresses and suffering, think again. For us, you are ‘our kids’ that year that we teach you. You aren’t just part of a job, you become part of our lives. All we wish for is to give you the opportunities to do the best you can, to be the best you are, to reach the heights we believe you are capable of.

It can be heartbreaking to see the strain on children as young as 6, being made to sit tests, the results of which are then used to judge them. We hate doing it kids, honestly.

But, what you must remember is what Spidey’s quote says today. Try your best. If you give up before you even have a go, how will you know what could have been?

And that goes for everything in life.

We need to be willing to try. Nothing falls into our lap (well not for the majority of us!) so we need to take opportunities where they present themselves, or make time to do what we really want. Who knows what you will accomplish?

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps!

It’s my last day of relative peace before the summer term begins!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday -Part 59

03 Apr 2016 28 Comments

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

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”– Carl Bard

Admit it.

There are always times in your life when you wished that you coulda done that again, or thought “if only…”

Thing is, it ain’t gonna happen again, there is no real life movie, where things will keep happening, over and over, until we get it right.

It’s best to try and draw a line under yesterday and start over.

Using the knowledge you have today, make a fresh start the next day, and endeavour to make it a better one.

Have a wonderful Sunday Peeps!

(I’m trying to make a fresh start on the kids bedroom… chucking things out like a loony, in the hope that we will soon have space to then move them into their own rooms, and that they can start with no clutter! Wish me luck… you should see my own room! I really need to learn how to live minimally…. but the problem is ‘everything’ is a memory, or useful!)

Spidey’s Serene Sundays -Part 56

13 Mar 2016 20 Comments

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

Right now I am pretty relaxed, as the kids allowed us a whole nights sleep, and I wasn’t out of bed until 8.45am! Amazing! Hence the slightly later posting of Spidey’s wisdom… So here goes!

“There is something you must always remember…

You are braver than you believe

stronger than you seem

and smarter than you think.”

Winnie the Pooh

Always believe in yourself… It may not seem like you are able to cope, in many situations but you’d be amazed what hidden coping mechanisms we have hidden away. It just takes the right trigger for them to show themselves.

Happy Sunday Peeps!