For the most part, I'm a pretty positive person. I tend to make much of what I like about life and try to make little of what I don't like.
It's not that crummy things don't happen, they do. And I am just as prone as the next person to getting sucked into a 'whine about it attitude'. But with each crummy thing that happens I am learning the art of processing instead of whining. There's a big difference.
Processing means doing what I can to change what I don't like and letting go of what I can't change.
Whining means wallowing in the false assumption the world is out to get me and I can't do much about it except complain to whoever will listen.
Here are three ways I am learning to process instead of whine:
1. I shift my attitude-
I intentionally play a little mental script in my head that goes something like this, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
It goes something like this:
If someone dings my car door while I'm in the grocery store... "Bummer. But the reality is it's just a car headed to the junk yard one day anyhow. If this is the worst thing that happens to me today it's still a pretty good day."
Shifting my attitude helps me settle my heart into a place where I can remain positive even if things don't or can't change.
2. I know what I want-
People often chuckle in the coffee house line when I order my coffee- Grande, single shot, 8 pump, skinny vanilla latte, no foam, a little extra hot. But I guarantee some of those that chuckle at my order will walk out complaining about theirs.
"It's not hot enough."
"It's too strong."
"I pay $4 for a cup of coffee and it's 1/3 foam!"
I say know what you want and order it that way. Those sweet baristas are mighty talented but they can not read our mind.
3. I am all about honest conversation-
Sometimes things don't change for people because they don't communicate their desire for change. Whether they are too afraid to ask or afraid of coming across as demanding, they decide to just deal with what's unacceptable and then whine later.
Now, hear my heart please... I am all for picking your battles and not making a deal of everything. Remember, point number one from above.
But if something or someone is consistently unacceptable, it's better to work on a solution rather than whine about the situation. Honest communication done with a desire to make things better is not ungodly- it's healthy. Stuffing things only to spew about the situation behind someone's back is not only ungodly- it's annoying.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice," (Ephesians 4:29-31).
Is there a situation in your life that's been pulling your heart into a state of whining lately? How might you prepare to handle it better today?
What are some ways you process things instead of whining about them? I love learning from you!
Congrats to Shiny Boxes- you are the winner of the Greenville E-Women tickets. And congrats to Laura Miller- you are the winner of the Target belt! E-mail Holly@Proverbs31.org to claim your prize~
It's not that crummy things don't happen, they do. And I am just as prone as the next person to getting sucked into a 'whine about it attitude'. But with each crummy thing that happens I am learning the art of processing instead of whining. There's a big difference.
Processing means doing what I can to change what I don't like and letting go of what I can't change.
Whining means wallowing in the false assumption the world is out to get me and I can't do much about it except complain to whoever will listen.
Here are three ways I am learning to process instead of whine:
1. I shift my attitude-
I intentionally play a little mental script in my head that goes something like this, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
It goes something like this:
If someone dings my car door while I'm in the grocery store... "Bummer. But the reality is it's just a car headed to the junk yard one day anyhow. If this is the worst thing that happens to me today it's still a pretty good day."
Shifting my attitude helps me settle my heart into a place where I can remain positive even if things don't or can't change.
2. I know what I want-
People often chuckle in the coffee house line when I order my coffee- Grande, single shot, 8 pump, skinny vanilla latte, no foam, a little extra hot. But I guarantee some of those that chuckle at my order will walk out complaining about theirs.
"It's not hot enough."
"It's too strong."
"I pay $4 for a cup of coffee and it's 1/3 foam!"
I say know what you want and order it that way. Those sweet baristas are mighty talented but they can not read our mind.
3. I am all about honest conversation-
Sometimes things don't change for people because they don't communicate their desire for change. Whether they are too afraid to ask or afraid of coming across as demanding, they decide to just deal with what's unacceptable and then whine later.
Now, hear my heart please... I am all for picking your battles and not making a deal of everything. Remember, point number one from above.
But if something or someone is consistently unacceptable, it's better to work on a solution rather than whine about the situation. Honest communication done with a desire to make things better is not ungodly- it's healthy. Stuffing things only to spew about the situation behind someone's back is not only ungodly- it's annoying.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice," (Ephesians 4:29-31).
Is there a situation in your life that's been pulling your heart into a state of whining lately? How might you prepare to handle it better today?
What are some ways you process things instead of whining about them? I love learning from you!
Congrats to Shiny Boxes- you are the winner of the Greenville E-Women tickets. And congrats to Laura Miller- you are the winner of the Target belt! E-mail Holly@Proverbs31.org to claim your prize~
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