To Complain or not to Complain...

I suppose this is really obvious, but sometimes we need a reminder of the obvious because it's those things that we so frequently put aside and ignore, right? So I was just thinking today how easy it is to complain. Each of us, quite easily, could find one if not many things to complain about in a single day. Or if we don't complain we at least look at things in a negative light which will inevatibly put us in bad spirits as long as we allow those things to bring us down. For example:

My hair is being dumb today (something I've thought on more than one occasion :) )

I really wish so and so would contact me

They did so much better than I did or could ever do

Nobody ever cleans up around here

I've got too much to do all the time!

These are just some of the thoughts that might come up, and I've experienced them all at one point or another, so I have a little bit of an idea of what I'm talking about :) But here's the deal. In a lot of these situations, I've come to realize that we want to blame other things or people other than ourselves. We could sit around a mope that certain things are the way they are or how we wish something would just magically happen, but the chances are that it won't get you anywhere. If you want those things to happen, do something about it! If so and so hasn't contacted you in a while, why not try contacting them? Many times it seems that we try to put all the fault on something and disregard the fact that some of the fault lies with us as well. So nobody is cleaning up around the apartment. Take a moment: are you guilty of that as well? You can't rightly complain against other people if you aren't even willing to do your part and put forth some effort to change things. Sorry, that's just the way it is.

Complaining gets you nowhere. In fact, it leaves you worse of than before. It will make you grumpy and irritable and depressed, and it will negatively effect those around you too. No one likes a whiner. It's so easy to pick out the negative things in our life, but if we truly wanted we could see all the good in our life as well. We can make it into a habit, and we will be happier because of it.

I've come to realize that much of happiness depends on our own choice. Really, sometimes it's as simple as telling ourselves, "Okay, I'm done with being grumpy. I'm going to be happy!" If you really mean it, you have the ability to rid yourself of the sadness we so often bring upon ourselves. Now I recognize that it's not always that easy. Sometimes we need help to get out of those ruts. For some people it's just harder, but all people are capable of happiness.

So instead of focusing on all the negative aspects of your day, focus on all the good things in the day. Can't think of anything? What about all those things you take for granted on a daily basis: family, friends, home, food, nice weather, letters, blogs, crafts, whatever it is that you enjoy. If you're having a bad day, change it. You can't control all things that will come your way. Some days just suck. There's no getting around it. But even in those times we can find the good.

I feel like I'm starting to repeat myself. Hopefully that means you'll get the point! Recently, my way of helping me sort things out, get my emotions back in order, or as I like to say, refocus my chi, is by going on walks. These walks can be with someone or on your own. Personally, I like to have the alone time to get away from everything that may be bothering me: school, people :) , etc. I like to walk to one of the parks around here, take some time for introspection, or to read a book, or to write in my journal, or something of the like. Sometimes it's just nice to get out and just let your mind rest. So my tip for the day: take a walk! Besides, if you're any where as busy as I claim to be (the truth lies more in my procrastination I believe), it's a good excuse to make time for a little exercise :)

Remember to take some time for you. Don't let your brain go on overload. Been there. Done that. It's not a fun experience. You need a break every once in a while. Just don't let those breaks talk over all your time.

So in conclusion, try to focus more on the positive in life. Complaining won't help you in this endeavor. In fact it won't help you in any endeavor, and it will hold you back more than anything. Here are just a few things I'm grateful for today:

1. The snow this year hasn't lasted for more than a day at a time thus far. Quite an unusual phenomena for Rexburg.

2. There are so many great people here I've had the pleasure to meet and become friends with!

3. I'm getting an education. Yeah, I complain about that a lot, but really, it's a great blessing.

4. It's sunny :)

5. I did better on my midterm than I thought I would. Huzzah!

6. I've officially registered for my last set of classes without any further troubles! I was a little worried about some things, but it all worked out.

So there you have it! Those are just a few. What are you grateful for today?

And of course I'm grateful for these people. Love you family :)