Whine
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
|
