The Hurrier I Go, The Behinder I Get

Did you ever have one of those days?

Have you ever spent the entire day, working madly at every task, and it seems like every task requires another to prepare for it, or to complete it, or both? Like one domino dropping against the next, until all the pieces have tumbled down, there is no relief in the harsh reality of a long string of happenings.

In the case of the dominoes, what have you got left but a floor-full of pieces that have to be picked up and either re-set up or put away for another day? With life, sometimes the events of the day have left us amid what seems like (or actually is) a landscape of rubble on every side. Sometimes “life happens” with such force, that it seems we cannot bear one more thing. The trite saying "there is no rest for the weary" takes on new meaning, and it is a struggle just to muddle through the next five minutes.

Someone once said. You just don't luck into things as much as you'd like to think you do.  You build step by step, whether it's friendships or opportunities. ~Barbara Bush~

Consider this quote, and remember that each thing that we experience is a piece that is woven into the fabric of our life. Each choice we make is a thread that contributes to the design. Each consequence shapes another decision or attitude.

We can't depend on luck to rescue us, and we can't blame luck when things go wrong. Of course, some things are entirely out of our control. However, we do have a certain amount of control over most every thing that occurs to us. Sometimes it is just to stop for 10 seconds and breathe when life is caveing in us. Sometimes it is as easy as being grateful instead of taking the too-easy way of complaining. And other times, we need to roll up our sleeves and dive into the work until the task is accomplished and the need taken care of. We may not always get to choose the condition or the situation, but we do get to choose how we act or react.

Our words, attitude and actions can shape the outcome of many, many things in life.

Complaining accomplishes one thing: and that is to make us critical, and un-appreciative of what we do have. Complaining attracts negative thoughts and attitudes, and only serves to secure a "dark cloud" over us and what we need to accomplish.

  

When life knocks us off our feet.  

When disappointment and sorrow come, we need to be able to express it. We need to allow our children, spouse or associate to express their disappointment and loss – with words. Whether it is from striking out in a Little League game, or getting laid-off from a job, having a close friend move away, or losing someone through death, people need to be allowed to express the loss with words. Many times people are expected to "stuff" their feelings, "buck up", "take the pain", and "get on with life". How many times have we heard, or spoken these un-helpful words.

Many times parents, instead of comforting a child that is anxious, fearful, or crying with disappointment, either don't want to deal with the situation and they start scolding the child, or berateing them about their expression of their feelings.   

To deny the process in coping and healing from loss or disappointment is not helpful, or healthy. After having time to express disappointment, frustration, or loss we need to look ahead, outside the situation and focus on better things. Depending on the depth of loss or disappointment, this could be minutes, hours, or perhaps days.

Try this two week challenge.

Write a note to yourself to stop complaining for 10 days. Determine to, and practice: No griping. No complaining. No criticizing. No judging. When these thouughts pop into your mind un-invited, replace negative attitudes, thoughts and words with positive attitudes, thoughts and words. Practice an attitude of gratitude. This produces more good than you can measure. Complaining creates hostility, illness, poverty and failure. Thankfulness creates blessing, health, mercy, grace, and even wealth.

Like opening heavily draped windows to a glorious spring day, a grateful attitude, a thankful mindset, and a determination to allow only positive words and thoughts WILL produce better things.

Like the sunlight and sweet rains on a garden, gratitude will make the flowers and healthful fruits and vegetables of life flourish as nothing else can.

Be thankful. It will make all things better.