Wednesday, February 20, 2008

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.......


YOU MIGHT JUST GET IT!
I find myself often complaining a lot about having no time for myself. I try to be everything to everyone because that is my hearts desire. On my birthday, I even told one of my daughters that I wished I could have one day, just for me, to be a little lazy. That is something you don't find me doing. I always have a lot to do. Well, the last 3 days, I have been in bed sick. I have missed a funeral that I should have been at. I have not got to visit or help with my best friends dad who is now in rehab and doing well. (Please keep praying for him). I have not been with my husband, children, or grandchildren. I will not get to go to church tonight. I could go on and on. I have had my "ME" day and I AM OVER IT! I am sick & tired of being sick! I am a lot better today, thanks to prayers, 2 shots and meds.! When I got to where I could hold my head up, I was reading some blogs and ran across one that talked about whining and complaining. It talked about taking 21 days and trying to form a habit of not whining, judging, gossiping, etc. It talked about guarding or watching our mouth. At our church we are taught about how powerful the tongue is. We are taught that there are things we can just leave off. I didn't really think I had a problem with this until I read this article. But I found out I do need help. As I layed in bed this week being sick, I thought about how I complained about what all I have to do, all the time. Now here I am sick and not able to do anything. Then, I read this article. Is this that "Still Small Voice" speaking to me??? Well, I am taking the challenge and listening very closely.
If I remember right, here is the way it goes:
It takes 21 days to form a habit.
You wear a bracelet on one wrist. If you realize you are complaining, grumbling, whining, criticizing, gossiping, judging, murmuring, etc. - then you switch the bracelet to the other arm and start your 21 days over. I read that it may take us months to form this habit. I would guess that you could use anything, a pin, a ring, or even a rubberband. It even talked about, if you are doing this with others and you catch them complaining & you bring this to their attention, then you need to switch your bracelet first. I thought that was awesome because that shows we are just pointing out others faults. I just loved this. This has really made me open my eyes. This really makes you stop and think before giving your opinion or complaining. This has even changed my thought pattern. This may sound silly to some but it has just made me STOP & THINK! One person described this journey as throwing yourself into reverse. I don't know if I will use a bracelet as a reminder or what, but this has caused a big RED LIGHT in my mind. So instead of whining about things, my goal is to use CAUTION before I have the GREEN LIGHT to speak. This will not be a 21 day challenge for me.This will be a lifetime challenge & goal. I know I will fail many times but I have asked the Lord to help me and I know where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord.
STOP LOOK LISTEN
Proverbs 31:26,27
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness, She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Visit me over at My Cooking Blog for a fun Breakfast Recipe Exchange & More!


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know why I am so proud of you? Because you take everything and make something good out of it! That is a lesson for us all. I pray that you will continue to feel better.
Love
Your Mom

CONNIE W said...

An excellent post. Thank you for this, it is something I need to work on too. Take care & get better!!!

Andrea said...

That post was incredible! I could definitely make use of that challenge.

I'm glad you're on the mend...although I still think you deserve a day for YOU -- you know, one where you're not sick.

(thanks for the nice things you said about my blog...I hope you come back to visit again!)

Unknown said...

I enjoyed this post.I know I could take this challenge also. Thank you for visiting my blog.Blessings. Lisa

Jenna said...

Thank you for visiting my blog, www.momsbalancingact.com....I really enjoyed reading yours as well and will be back soon!! :)

Anonymous said...

Keep it up and you will be writing a book!!! I am so proud of you! What a blessing you are to all of us!

blessings said...

A resounding theme for me lately. Thank you! Blessings.. Polly

Krista said...

I hope that you are feeling better. I think of you & Randy often. Someone told me that you had a blog this morning and now I've spent about 2 hours reading and reminiscing. I miss you greatly and look forward to reading more. I think you've inspired me to start a blog of my own!

Alana said...

Hi Valerie!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment. The scenario with your kids could have very well happened in my house, too. In fact my boys are arguing as I write this. I better go and referee ;-)

Nice to meet you!

I'm going to try to visit your cooking blog, too!