i can't complain -- no, really

I've given up complaining for Lent. So far it has been completely awesome.

I didn't say I gave up sarcasm.

I know this probably sounds borderline crazy, but hear me out. I really like the idea of choosing to make a personal sacrifice during Lent, and I especially like thinking outside the box about those sacrifices. I want to go without something that will challenge me, but also something that will better me. And the truth is, I don't have a whole lot of bad habits. I don't drink sodas. I run daily. I eat healthfully. I hardly touch sweets. I don't smoke. I drink in moderation.

So with my lifestyle as it is, I decided to start thinking in less tangible terms. I tossed around a few other ideas, like giving up swear words, but frankly I decided that a challenge was one thing and being completely miserable for 46 days was entirely different. Of course, when I told Mr. Risky Business that I'd decided to give up complaining, his response was, "I still think it would've been easier just to not say cunt."

He underestimates me.

So today, it begins. I've already had one flub this morning, but I know after a few days my mind set will slowly begin to change. And that's the whole point, really -- that after these 46 days I might be a person much less likely to point on the negatives in a situation than I was before it began.

Now, there are some ground rules. Because "complaining" is a vast and far-reaching idea, and some thoughts that might fall under its umbrella are necessary for me to do my job and otherwise function normally in relationships both professional and personal. So here's where I landed:

1. No bitching.

2. No whining.

3. Negative comments are allowed, but they must be constructive. I can mention that something has not happened the way I would've liked, but I have to come up with possible ways to improve the situation instead of just moaning about it.

4. Strictly, absolutely NO road rage.



That about covers it. I was telling Mr. RB the other day, in an unrelated conversation, that I worry one day my tombstone will say: "No one can say she didn't try." When I moved back from New York, everyone said, well at least you tried it. Now you know. And for a while I believed in that, and I echoed it inside my own head.

And I'm not trying to tell you I want to go back to New York. That's the last thing I want. But what I do want is to be living a more fulfilling life. To be making more music. To be writing more. To feel rich and passionate. And every day that I just sigh to myself and think, well, this sucks or that sucks or I haven't done this or that in so long I don't even feel like I'm an artist anymore, well those thoughts aren't getting me anywhere. It's time to stop complaining about things in my life that aren't the way I'd like and change them.

So I'm giving up complaining for Lent. Here's to 46 days of positivity.


cheers,
elizabeth