Gratitude is something that’s always been part of my life.
I was raised in a home where we had what we needed, and I’ll never stop being grateful for that. But more importantly, I was raised by parents who taught me that having enough also means learning to give.
Growing up, kindness and helping others wasn’t something we only spoke about — it was something we did.
My dad used to dress up as Santa at Christmas and hand out sweet packs to children on the streets.
We fostered children.
We did charity events and community fundraisers.
And although I probably didn’t realise it fully at the time, those moments shaped me deeply.
They taught me that helping people isn’t about being rich.
It’s about being willing.
Gratitude Doesn’t Mean Life Is Easy
At the same time though, I also think there’s this misconception online sometimes that grateful people are constantly positive or never struggle emotionally.
And that’s just not real life.
Because life still throws curve balls.
Things still go wrong.
Stress still happens.
People still disappoint you.
Plans still fall apart.
There are weeks where everything feels overwhelming all at once.
The kids are sick.
Work is stressful.
Unexpected expenses pop up.
You’re exhausted.
Emotionally drained.
Trying your best while carrying responsibilities nobody else even sees.
And in those moments, it’s human to feel frustrated, emotional, or overwhelmed.
Being grateful doesn’t mean pretending life is perfect.
The Perspective Running a Feeding Scheme Gives You
But I can honestly say that running my feeding scheme has changed my perspective on life in a very deep way.
Every single week, I cook and prepare meals for nearly 70 moms, children, and pensioners in the south of Durban.
And through that experience, I’ve seen just how many people are quietly struggling.
Mothers trying to rebuild their lives after abusive relationships.
Women who lost the partner who financially supported the family.
Pensioners surviving on almost nothing.
Parents worrying about how they’ll feed their children.
And when you witness that regularly, you start to realise how many things we unintentionally take for granted every day.
Simple things.
Opening the fridge and knowing there’s food inside.
Being able to buy electricity.
A warm bed.
School lunchboxes.
Clean water.
A safe home.
Even the ability to stop for coffee without checking your bank balance first.
Things that feel “normal” to many people are actually privileges to others.
The Moms Who Inspire Me Most
What inspires me most is that despite everything these moms are carrying… they still show up.
They still keep trying.
Still keep applying for jobs.
Still keep putting their children first.
Not because it’s easy.
But because they have to.
And honestly, watching that kind of resilience changes something inside you.
It reminds you that gratitude and hardship can exist at the same time.
You can feel stressed and still be grateful.
You can feel overwhelmed and still appreciate what you have.
You can acknowledge that life is hard while also recognising that there is still goodness around you.
Both things can be true.
You Don’t Need to “Win the Lotto” to Help Someone
One thing I spoke about recently at a Mother’s Day event was how I used to always think:
“When I win the lotto… I’ll help people.”
As if kindness had to wait until I had more money, more time, or a “better” life.
But eventually I realised:
Why am I waiting?
Helping people doesn’t always have to look huge.
It can look like:
- Cooking an extra portion of food
- Donating clothes you no longer wear
- Supporting a fundraiser
- Checking in on someone
- Buying groceries for a struggling family
- Simply being kinder
Because small things become big things to someone who has very little.
What Gratitude Looks Like to Me Now
Running the feeding scheme has made me appreciate life differently.
Gratitude now looks like:
- Healthy children
- A peaceful bedtime routine
- Being able to buy groceries
- Hearing laughter in my house
- Having enough to share with others
- Knowing my children are safe and fed
Those things are not small things.
They are everything.
And I think in a world where comparison is constant and social media makes everyone feel like they’re falling behind, we sometimes forget that the life we complain about may be someone else’s prayer.
That perspective has changed me forever.
More than anything, this journey has taught me that gratitude isn’t about ignoring hardship.
It’s about still being able to recognise the good, even in the middle of difficult seasons.
And honestly?
That mindset alone can change your life. 💛