Yesterday I tweeted about a challenge that I was taking on:
It doesn't sound like a very big deal does it?
Well I'm gonna be honest, I didn't realize how much I complain over the smallest things until I challenged myself to go an entire day without complaining.
I was inspired to do this by two people. The first being my blog big sista, Lindsay. Her post about choosing joy hit home in my heart. And the other being Joyce Meyer. I'm currently doing a devotion that she wrote called "Hearing From God Every Morning."
As I went through my day yesterday, I kept joy at the front of my thoughts. I had to be very intentional about it, especially while I was driving...I have realllly bad road rage...ha! But seriously, I caught myself really having to CHOOSE joy during certain parts of the day. I forgot my lunch at home and wanted to whine about it. But I didn't. Instead I just found something to snack on in my desk drawer and made sure to keep up my positive attitude. I almost caught myself complaining when it started down pouring as I carried my groceries to my car...but I decided to choose joy. I mean some people don't even have the privilege of getting groceries, you know?
I just kept thinking that the little things that I catch myself complaining about could be considered blessings by others. Some people would love to have a job, despite the fact that they forgot their lunch at home. Others would love to carry groceries to their car in the rain if it meant that they were going to get to eat 3 meals every day for a week with no issues.
Guys, choosing joy and refraining from complaining for the entire day made such a difference in my attitude. I was blown away. A guy at work even asked me how I was feeling. He said I looked great and just happier. So my positive attitude shown from the inside out.
It was easier to love on people when I chose joy.
It was easier to be thankful when I chose joy.
It was easier to be more in tune with the needs of others when I chose joy.
It was a better day when I chose joy.
I felt radiant when I chose joy.
I was probably easier to love when I chose joy.
dress & belt: Target
wedges: Steve Madden
bangles: gift from my blog BFF :)
So I challenge you to try and not complain for an entire day. Yep that's right, CHOOSE JOY all day long :) It may not be easy, but you won't be sorry!
This sounds amazing...I can't believe I've never thought of trying it before! I am definitely trying it tomorrow-it's my first day of classes, and choosing joy will help so much!
ReplyDeletegood challenge. it's so much harder than people ever think. i had tried doing a no-fat talk challenge also, and it was way harder than i realized. and i have bad road rage too. i will need to try this tomorrow, especially when i'm driving.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, the pictures, the positive thoughts, etc. LOVE!
ReplyDeleteI love this challenge & I definitely will take it for today (Wednesday!) So thank you, dear one. You are loved! XO
ReplyDelete&& of course you look adorable in your pictures!
p.s. you INSPIRE me.
ReplyDeletelove this!!!! and it's so funny, i tried this challenge before and i thought it would be SO EASY because i'm a super positive person all the time... and then i realized maybe i'm not as positive as i think i am...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge Jessica. You have inspired me....I am going to focus on the positive all day today.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great Wednesday.
I definitely catch myself thinking "geeze why am I complaining about this, it is so silly and I am beyond blessed so knock it off Courtney!" I think a lot of times we don't even notice we are complaining!
ReplyDeleteGreat post girl, always so uplifting and inspiring :)
That dress is from Target? So cute.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome thing to do! I definitely complain wayyyyyyyy to much and should probably try this :) And that Roald Dahl quote is awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
The Other Side of Gray
that is a hard but great goal! I made a painting that is in my bathroom that says Today I choose joy and sometimes I get mad because I know it is a choice and in my control! But really that is a good thing - just makes me more responsible for my attitude. :) and you look gorgeous in that outfit!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so happy, Jessica. No matter how devastating or just plain annoying circumstances are, it's always better to choose joy. I love you!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I started to be more conscious of my complaining, whether it was out loud or just to myself, while reading A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen. His goal was to stop complaining for 21 days because that's how long it takes to break a habit. Great book!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a tough but great challenge!
ReplyDeleteyou've actually helped inspire me to re-start a blog. Not as fancy… but one to get all my thoughts down, reflect on the struggles and joys over the year and my plans to go teach in Australia in 2013! I’m definitely going to see how the day goes and if I can keep the positivity in check! :=)
This is a perfect message for me today. I find myself getting so worked up over the smallest things and getting frustrated. Today I prayed for a new attitude, one where my impatience won't lead to frustration and won't ruin my day. I'll choose joy :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I don't think I complain a lot. And then I hear other people complain - like a kid I went to high school with posted on a local gas station's Facebook wall (Sheetz - it's kind of like a cult appreciation thing in Pittsburgh haha) that they didn't have a premade sandwich in the basket by the registers and it was annoying to order one at the MTO machine.
ReplyDeleteSERIOUSLY!?!?! And he claims to be super religious; there's MILLIONS of people that wait WEEKS and MONTHS for sandwiches!
Whenever I hear other people complain like that, I take a look at myself and realize that my life isn't bad and I have no reason to complain.
<3
kimberrleigh.com
Man! Not complaining for a whole day would be such a challenge for me too! I'm glad that you saw a brighter day because of that challenge though! Maybe I'll give it a whirl tomorrow.....
ReplyDeleteI'm choosing joy today! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration, girl!
You da best!
I think you would really enjoy the book "A Complaint Free World" especially after reading this post! I'm going to try to NOT complain the rest of today :) It'll be hard, but I'll try my hardest for you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great perspective to have! Love it!
ReplyDeleteJoy is one of my favorite words and I too challenge myself to focus on the positive. It can really be a life changer!
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that I've nominated you as a recipient of the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. I really enjoy your blog and think you bring smiles to the world.
Here is my post so you can see how to share the love! http://simplysweetsunday.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-love.html
Hope you have a wonderful day!!
xo,
Katherine
Great post Jessica...a humble reminder! Also, Erin @ sweetnessitself is hosting a twitter/instagram challenge to post a list of what you are thankful for and tag #thankfulsweetness. It goes along with what you were talking about! Have a joyful day :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
sweetnessoflaughter.blogspot.com
See, I love being an optimist, because this is how I live every day! People always wonder why I'm so happy, and this is why ;) Good for you, and you are SUPER cute in that dress!
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling sorta down lately so this post was exactly what I needed! Starting tomorrow, I'm going to choose Joy too and see how it goes! :)
ReplyDeleteEvani
simplyevani@gmail.com
What a fantastic view! I've been trying to convince my husband of this for the last few weeks as his job has been pretty tough! I try to stay positive and choose joy in life. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect! This will help in my journey of being a better person. I complain about soo many things that really aren't important but I let those things make or break my day. Thank you Jessica!!
ReplyDeleteThis might sound super creepy, but I kinda want to show my hair stylist your hair style. It's exactly how I wanted mine to look!
ReplyDeleteYou rock my world girlie.. love how you dedicated the day to this!! Seriously it sounds so simple, but it's SOOO not!! Esp to choose joy throughout the entire days, and not to complain... that's tuff!! I shall give it a shot tomorrow.. starting fresh in the morning ;)
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely adorable girlie... lovin' how you accessorized with the cutest lace dress ever!!
Alright, I am doing it! Starting now.....:) Thanks for the reminder and the challenge.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful thoughts. It's so true, our attitudes make such a difference in our own lives, and in those all around us. This is such a timely reminder for me, as I'm having a hard time looking forward my senior year of college starting next week. You've inspired me to "choose joy" and be thankful for God's goodness this semester!
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea! i am going to challenge myself the next time i'm at work. it's ultra stressful and i'm always so frustrated there. thanks for the idea.
ReplyDelete"A Complaint Free World" is a book you'd really like. It was a huge challenge for me (that honestly I never finished- but will get there the next time I try.) I was amazed by things that set me off. There were a few people that I couldn't be around because every word out of their mouth was negative and I found that I would get drawn in- out loud and in my head. It was a very interesting thing to try.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this outfit you put together! Cute blog!
ReplyDeletewww.clothedwithstrengthanddignity.com