(Kathi here. This is one of my favorite speakers, Cheri Gregory and I could not be more excited about this project. Join, participate, and, if you’re like me, stop being sarcastic for a while. Really. No, I’m not joking…)
As I thumbed through a copy of A Complaint-Free World five years ago, I considered myself the most optimistic, positive, encouraging (and obviously humble) person I knew.
In fact, I joked to my husband that we needed to buy two (maybe three) dozen copies to give the long list of negative people in my life who drag me down with their never-ending complaints, criticism, and gossip.
Than I read a little farther. And the author had the nerve to suggest that of all the negative people in my life, I might be the worst of the worst!
That. Made. Me. Mad.
So I decided to take the author’s Complaint-Free challenge: 21 days with no complaining. Just to prove how wrong he was, I even ordered his silly little purple bracelet.
The instructions were simple: I was to start each day with the bracelet on my left wrist. As soon as I caught myself complaining, criticizing, or gossiping, I was to move the bracelet to the other wrist.
For accountability, I told my students what I was doing.
Big mistake.
Did my students ever warm up to the “challenge.” In the first class, my bracelet switched arms five times in just three minutes!
The shocker was that each time took me totally by surprise. I wasn’t even thinking critical thoughts, when suddenly, “Mrs. G? Is that complaining I hear?”
I soon discovered that my optimistic self-image resembled reality the way a chick flick resembles marriage: hardly at all.
Sound Familiar?
Maybe you’ve experienced some of the same warning signs I have. See if you identify with any of the following statements:
___ “My life would be much easier without the negative people who drag me down.
___ “I speak Sarcasm fluently.”
___ “When I see a type-o on a sign, I have to point it out to someone.”
___ “I’m surrounded by difficult people at work and/or at home.”
___ “It’s not really gossip; everything we say about her is true.”
___ “There’s an impossible person in my life who will never change.”
___ “I struggle with anxiety, fear, and/or depression.”
___ “Negative things people have said keep popping back into my mind.”
If two or more sound familiar, you’re invited to take The PURSE-onality Challenge!
What is The PURSE-onality Challenge?
Quite literally, it’s 31 days of replacing “baditude” with God’s word and gratitude, May 1-31 (with a warm-up week starting April 22.)
I’ve tried the Complaint-Free challenge many times in the last five years. But just trying to stop old bad habits was never enough; I needed to start new ones to replace the old.
So for one month, we’ll be focusing on four positive habits: spotlighting Personality strengths, eliminating complaints, journaling gratitude, and memorizing scripture.
Take The PURSE-onality Challenge if…
…you feel convicted to change your thoughts and words.
…you’re at your wit’s end with a particular relationship.
…you desire more hope, joy, and peace in your life.
Check out our website to sign up!
You’ll also find three free audio messages:
Personality Puzzle for Parents of Preschoolers
and
Healthy Marriages Major in History (NOT Math!)
plus a free e-Book: Top 10 Priceless Gifts that Don’t Cost a Dime for Each PURSE-onality!
Enter to win a free copy of The PURSE-onality Challenge journal and a set of 31 laminated Bible verse cards! Leave a comment telling what changes you’d most want to see in your life from taking The PURSE-onality Challenge!
Cheri Gregory has been married to her pastor/teacher/musician college sweetheart, Daniel, for 23 years. The Gregorys are enjoying their newly “empty nest,” now that Jonathon (19) has joined Annemarie (21) at college. Cheri is a high school English teacher and Christian speaker/author. Connect with her via Facebook, cheri@cherigregory.com, and www.CheriGregory.com.
I would like to see myself not complain when things seem bad
I hope to be a better wife and mother be learning how to work with personalities different than mine.
I want to be a more positive influence to my daughter who is 4, and to my son who is almost 1. I want them to hear kind, thoughtful and encouraging words from my mouth…words that build them, and those around me up, not down.
I also want to make a mark in my little space on earth as a positive person. I am too quick to complain, qnd it is time I change. I want to reflect Christ.
wow, I want changes galore. I don’t want to be such a gripey gus and I want my teen daughter to take it too. We have got to get ourselves straightened out! Would I like to win? You betcha!
I absolutely need the complaints to stop in my life. We have so much negativity at church right now. I know this will help me stop or curb my statements and thoughts.
I would love to be entered in the drawing. With everything going on in my life I could use a lot of help. Have printed off parts 1 and 2 can’t wait to start. Thanks for all you are doing to spread Gods word.
I would like to be more positive and banish the negativity. I know this will make me a better person
I would love to learn the positive thoughts to replace all of my default negative thoughts. I can sometimes hold my tongue, but I’d like to be able to focus on, and say, positive things. I also really need to get back to scripture memorization.
Wow! I think I checked off almost everyone one of those warning signs. I think that as a wife, mom, friend and MOPs leader I could use a change. I have recently felt VERY convicted to change my thoughts and words. It would not only benefit me but everyone I come in contact with!
I hope to win others to Christ by being more positive and less negative. I hope that others can see Christ’s light shining through me. I want to set a good example for my children and I want others to think that I am a joy to be around.
I would like to be more positive consistently throughout the day! I start off well then have to try really hard by night timeb
I would love to see the good in people more than the bad. Plus I want to start seeing what is good in me that people see that I don’t. I use sarcasm to hide the fact that I can’t take a compliment. Complaining gets us nowhere and after reading Kathi’s blog I think we all complain more than we know, whether we know it or not, especially me!
hmm. This is enticing….I love a good challenge and a good journal! But do we really have to give up the sarcasm? 🙂
For this season of life, I find myself seeing God move all around me! I have been studying God’s word and have, for the first time in my life, actually content to be on the sidelines. I have become increasingly aware of the complaining I do. This challenge will be an eye opener for me into God’s leading for my life. I want to be the one who “SHINES LIKE THE STARS IN THE HEAVENS” for my spirit!! I have just ventured into blogging and have become aware to listen and see God moving in my life.