Dear Girlfriends,

"If you keep that up, I'm going to give you something to really cry about!" Yes, we have all heard those biting words of our mothers and fathers fed up with our "carrying on."

This weather is crummy.
The traffic is ridiculous.
The sales clerk is slow.
The kids don't call.
My sister is an idiot.
Our boss is a jerk.

Whining. That's what I was doing. A few weeks ago, I found myself spending precious moments complaining (or as some of you might refer to it - bitching and moaning) about the most minute things.

When I caught myself, I really felt ashamed. What was going on that was really all that bad? Summer heat on a November day? But then, just as my mother promised, I got something to really whine about.

Our daughter, pregnant with her first child, was due to deliver on January 11 - but on Thanksgiving Day, she went into premature labor. She spent two weeks in the hospital, pumped full of drugs and forced to lie in bed - we were all on pins and needles as she tried to keep her little critter in the oven a few more weeks.

When Shauna did go into labor on December 7, her emergency C-section was nothing short of pure drama. As we prayed through the night for her recovery and the health of our sweet grandbaby, Ava, I realized I had not a complaint in the world. I had something new to refocus my attention.

Your parents might drive you nuts. Your job might be the pits. Your husband might not be the best gift-giver. But really, is life all that bad?

I think to live life intentionally we must every now and then have a really good whine. Complain (to yourself, please) for no less than 60 minutes, once a month, about the lousy hand you've been dealt or the unfairness of it all. Get it out. Rant and rave. Wave your hands. Stomp your feet. And then I want you to drop it. Or else you might get challenges much bigger than a bad hair day to distract you from your personal pity party.

"Things may happen to you, but the only things that matter are the things that happen in you." -Eric Butterworth

 
As I head into this Christmas season with my family (and Baby Ava in my arms), there will be no complaints. Just pure gratitude for the gift of life, sweet family and friends, and second chances.

No whining today,
Ellen

Also known now as Ava's Sugar

Posted by Ellen on December 18, 2007 10:07 AM  |  Category: Living Intentionally