Practising Gratitude and saying thank you

I was casting about for something to write about, and took a dip into my archives. Another subject had come to mind, and I had written a piece about it. But when I looked at the timing and the date, I realised that there was something else I should be writing about – Gratitude.

How easy it was for me to forget my little annual ritual!

It has been a little tradition of mine to adopt the American holiday of Thanksgiving which comes around towards the end of November each year. We after all, adopt so much else, another holiday wouldn’t hurt! 😛

We don’t have a similar celebration here, but I often think we should, if only to remind ourselves that we have something to be thankful about. Getting your hands on that latest sold-out eyeshadow palette does not quite count 😛

So, as you read this, I want you pause for just a few minutes in your day, and think of 3 things you’re thankful for. If you’re feeling crappy, it might put your problems in perspective 🙂

Let me share mine 🙂

The past 3-4 years have been tumultuous ones. The start of my 4th decade did not quite go as well as I hoped. But this year feels a little different.

This year, I find myself a little more settled, a little more focused, and a little more thankful for what I have, as opposed to dwelling on and eating myself up over what I don’t. So I’ll share a few things of what I’m thankful and grateful for, and if you feel up to is, pen yours below. It’ll put things in perspective 🙂

People who trust and believe in me

This is both in the professional sense as well as in the personal sense. For this platform, I am incredibly thankful for brands and people who still choose to keep in contact and liaise with me on little projects, despite the fact I don’t boast of tens or hundreds of thousands of “followers” on Instagram.

They allow me to write and do things at my pace, to be critical and honest and to have free reign over my content. They tell me that they trust me implicitly and in return, I try my best to not abuse that level of trust.

I am thankful and ever so grateful that there are people who understand that there is still a space and place for written content, in the sea of beautiful visuals, and who are willing to work with me on that.

Being able to spend more time with my parents

I understand that not everyone is privileged enough to be able to be near family, or to have a good relationship with their parents and family. My commiserations if that happens to be you. But if you’re away from home, and maintain a good relationship, now might be a good time to pick up the phone and give them a call 🙂

This year, I found myself spending a little more time with my parents, due to my more flexible schedule. We have lunch some days in a week, and dinner at others. They are your typical Baby Boomer Asian parents with a brusque, strict, disciplinarian approach. But I still run back to them when I have problems cos I’m just a child who happens to be over 40-years old LOL 😀

I am otherwise thankful that I am able to spend this much time with them, and to travel with them, because I realize that that is a privilege. But I highly recommend also having your own space to retreat into. We love our families, but sometimes, we just need our own space 😉

Finally conquering bronzer!

Oh yes, I can safely say that I’ve well and truly conquered how to use bronzer, and I’m very happy about it! 😀 It only took me 15 years of wearing make up to figure it out LOL!

The reason I’m thankful for this is because I’ve realised just how much better I look with just a touch of warmth on the skin. Before this, I used to think that a bronzer was all about looking tanned or sculpted, and that clashed with my natural complexion and makeup preference.

Now, I understand better that a bronzer can also add warmth to your skin, which tones down any paleness, makes foundation look more natural and makes you look “healthy”. I call a bronzer a “face warming powder” because I opt for very light shades that do little but add a hint of warmth.

Thanks to this revelation, and to finding the right brush for my purposes, bronzer has found a permanent place in my daily makeup routine 😀

YOU!

Finally, but never taken for granted, I am thankful and grateful, always, for every single one of you reading this. I realize that reading blogs seems almost passe these days, and comments tend to be much fewer and further between.

But I know people are reading. And I know you share your thoughts with me, if not here, then on Instagram or a private message, or in email. I know you’re still out there, and for that, I thank you 🙂

What are 3 things you’re thankful for?

Share if you like, don’t if it makes you uncomfortable. But have a little think anyway and you may realise that it usually is about the little things that make you smile, not the big, complicated ones 🙂

Paris B