"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." -Maya Angelou
How Much Better Can You Have It?
I have a long time friend that truly believes that bad things happen only to her. Instead of taking responsibility for the choices she has made in her life, she believes that she is a victim of circumstances, other people's treatment or just bad luck. Each email I receive from her is a continuing saga of one bad thing after another occurring. I noticed over the last few months that the frequency and the severity of these events are increasing. I have also noticed that there is a direct correlation between the number of things she complains about and the number of "bad things" that happen to her.
In listening to my friend, I have become more mindful of things I complain about. Last week I was called for jury duty and was selected to be on a jury. It was the 5th time I have been called, and the 4th time I had to actually serve. Of the group of people that were assigned to the court room along with me, I was the only one that had actually served on a jury. While we were going through the jury selection process, I was 'complaining' to the others about having to serve so often and wishing that I would not be picked again. Only 6 jurors were selected out of 20, and I was the last one picked at the end of the day. On my way home that night, it struck me that my complaining had something to do with my selection! What one focuses on, is what one attracts and I had focused on what I did not want -being selected for jury duty.
Do you know someone that is a constant complainer? What does their life look like? What are they attracting with their complaints? Do they seem to always have something go wrong? Complainers believe that someone else is at the steering wheel of their lives, and they are just along for the ride. Here's a statement I heard this week from T. Harv Eker, author of The Millionaire Mind: "Complaining is the worse possible thing you can do for your health and your wealth." The truth of this statement really struck me, and the question I asked myself was, what would my life be like if I stopped complaining? Even though I make a point of expressing what I am grateful for each day, I do slip in a complaint or two! As terrific as my life is, the question is how much better could I have it?
Take a look at your own life. How often you do complain about something or someone? What would happen if you stopped complaining? Is there any downside? How good could you have it? Take the challenge and find out!
Here are some actions you can take:
-Pay attention to the number of times you complain about something each day.
-Pick 2 days and commit to no complaints for that time period. See how you feel and what happens at the end of the 2 days.
-Incorporate this new practice into your life on an on-going basis!
Copyright June 2005
As a Life Transition Coach I work with clients to identify what's most important to them and prioritize around these values. I help my clients identify and remove obstacles in the way and bring clarity and focus to their dreams. What is your dream? Are you undergoing a major transition and not clear where to turn? Call (972-306-4489) or email me, (coach.v.miller@verizon.net), to set up a complimentary, no obligation 30 minute coaching session. Download my FREE e-Book, 12 Fun Ways to Change Your Life, or sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter at http://www.thrivingthroughchange.com
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe summer I was 20 years old, I worked as... Read More
Do you talk with yourself? When we hear people talking... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
It sounds a little masochistic, but I actually appreciate being... Read More
Look at this glass on the table in front of... Read More
Who are you?We all know that we are composed of... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
If I say the word "CHANGE" how do you feel?... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
I'm sure most of you remember the children's book about... Read More
I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More
I was a young girl aged 12, when the one... Read More
Smart folk have always realised how vital it is to... Read More
Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More
Being the next Carmen Electra or Paris Hilton might or... Read More
The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More
How are you? Where do you get a positive attitude... Read More
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More
Many centuries ago there was a Greek philosopher who lived... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More
We all know them. We all have somebody like them... Read More
Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects... Read More
Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More
Cheri decided that she wanted to grow an apple tree... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
In talking with a coaching client recently, she made a... Read More
One of the most important aspects of living a healthy... Read More
Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More
When you look at your future in terms of your... Read More
Most of us start the day like we're trying to... Read More
"Who am I fooling?" "I'm a loser," "I'm too old,"... Read More
Who can control a smile sneaking across your face as... Read More
You have probably noticed those people at work, school, and... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
I don't know about you, but for me, the technological... Read More
What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More
There is no such thing as failure ? only feedback... Read More
Clear Conflict with Forgiveness:Forgiveness is the means to solve all... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
We have often missed the mark because we believe we... Read More
Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More
In 1978, Erma Bombeck wrote a book entitled "The Grass... Read More
IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More
Almost everyone experiences some form of worry one time or... Read More
Dr. Phil says each of us has a personal "truth"... Read More
I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |