I overheard a DJ on the radio this morning talking about a 30 day "No Mumbling, No Grumbling" challenge that they're doing. (I obviously listen to Christian radio - can you imagine a secular station doing that? HA!)
I turned to Mike and said, "We should totally do that. OOOH! And we can start tomorrow! Do you think we should? Try to go the whole month of June with NO complaining?"
That's kind of an unfair question for my dear husband. As in most relationships, we have opposite personality types. One of us is "glass half full" and the other has a tendency to be "glass half empty." If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you can easily guess who is the natural optimist...
But I think he agreed. He avoided answering at the time, but I say, "I think," because several times today, I said to him, "Is that complaining...?" and he quickly responded, "It's not June 1st yet! I'm getting it all out of my system!!!"
With that said, I've decided to get all of the complaining out of my system before June 1st. (I have about an hour left...) Here we go.
- I have 300 new blog posts to read in my blog reader. Three. Hundred. I am so out of the habit of checking it anymore. I check when I want to create my grocery lists and check for coupons, or when I want to see if any friends have posted, but other than that, I'm so behind! Not to mention the 240 saved posts that I fully intend to go back and print, read, try a recipe, recreate an idea, expand my knowledge of whoknowswhat, etc.
- I also don't seem to have time to blog as much as I used to. I wish I did...my bloggers block has been lifted. I have plenty to share. But I have less and less time lately. Hopefully I'll reconvene with a new summer schedule that will give me some more blogging time.
- Mike and I went to a counselor last week and it was time and money well spent. We're not screaming and fighting 24/7 or anything, but there's been some repetitive issues popping up for a while that we needed help getting past once and for all. I guess that's not a complaint, necessarily, but it's more of the fact that I'm dying to share what we learned in our first session, but I need to get Mike's permission first. I keep forgetting to ask him. Stay tuned on that one.
- Ryan and Kaylin were a BEAR to be around once he got out of school last week. I declared last Friday, "You're Best Friends Boot Camp Day." This weekend was a little better, but I'm so over the fighting already. They'll spend the whole summer in their rooms if they don't learn to get along.
- I'm tired lately. A lot. I can't seem to get myself in bed before 10pm these days and it makes for a tired mama in the morning. And I'm not working out as much, which makes me more tired. And I'm eating sugar like a maniac, which zaps my energy even more. Maybe I'm not on the computer as much anymore because I'm always napping when the kids nap? Hmmm...light bulb moment... And NO, I'm not pregnant. (I don't think...just kidding!)
- I'm so sick of having no self control with food. I need to get serious about getting in shape. Shorts and tank tops show A LOT of skin!
- I hate drama. No details there; just going to say that I hate it. Or rather, I hate being a PART of it.
Okay, I think that's it. Nothing else to whine about just now.
So I think we're doing this. I am certainly going to try it. I'm hoping it will change the tone of our home a bit. Of course, my poor, unsuspecting children have no idea that I'm going to drag them along with me on this little journey.
What do you think - wanna join me? 30 days with NO complaining...can you do it?
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8 comments:
I'm in! While I'm "in" I'm also focused on 90 Days of Health. The Holy Spirit it probably circling around my home saying, "Finally, something I can work with!"
Here we go!!
Mom
Sounds like a great challenge!
My honey and I sound a lot like ya'll - I'm more of a natural optimist as well. Have you ever seen the 'life is good' clothing? There are hats shirts that say 'life is good' along with a cartoon-like image of something 'good' in life.
I recently saw another brand with a similar look, only its called 'life is crap'
My husband and I joked that we should each get one from either brand to wear at the same time! HA!
We've also had some 'tune up' counseling in recent months - I think its a great time in marriage (7-10 yrs) to re-asses and revisit your relationship - good for you!!
I've enjoyed visiting your blog - when you find the time, would love it if you'd like to pop on over to mine and say 'hi' sometime. :)
What a great challenge! I know it would be good for me to do it.
I seriously just picked up my "Love Dare" book today and I am going to do the 40 day love challenge. I am in need of an all over "attitude overhaul" in all aspects of my life right now, so I might as well start a "no complaining" challenge as well! Count me in!
How do you plan to enforce this with your kids? Joel and I aren't the complainig types by nature, but I notice the kids can get in the habit sometimes and it drives me nuts.
This is a great challenge!
I think it will change the atmosphere of many homes!
Best,
Sibylle
@Chandy - I was going to make a joke about beating my kids into submission, but some people might not know that I was kidding and CPS might come knocking on my door!
Seriously, though, I just repeat myself like a broken record. Calmly, unemotionally, but consistently. "No complaining" again. And again. And again. Also teach lessons of gratefulness during moments when they're not complaining. When I concentrate on shifting their focus to those good feelings, I notice that they complain less.
Oh, and choices. I try to give my kids lots of choices so they feel like they have an element of control in their lives. Even if it's "do you want the blue or green plate?" at lunch.
The world won't come to an end if you don't read ANY of those blog posts saved in your reader! :)
At least that is what I tell myself when it becomes just one more thing to do. I just scroll on by and clear them out and start fresh. I figure if it is something so good or so important, it will be mentioned again and I will catch it then.
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