Reflections on Yesterday's Challenge:
Did you undertake yesterday's challenge: Attitude is Everything ? Mmmm well I was going alright until I had to learn and teach linear equations simultaneously. My attitude sunk. I was pretty frustrated that I couldn't work out how the heck to find a the gradient of a line on a Cartesian plane. I watched youtube, I read the maths book but every time I thought I understood it'd try again on another problem and well the answers alluded me. If I could have prepared, I would have nestled myself some time to nut out how to undertake the task. Giving me time to comprehend the concept and then impart the knowledge. After a few hours, I had to concede I understood how to find the linear equation and co-ordinates but couldn't get my head around the gradient section. Geez it's been over 20+ years since I had to use that knowledge. Professing I was frustrated, I took a break to reassess my attitude. I explained, my aptitude for finding gradients wasn't going to happen today. I expounded that my frustration stemmed from my being annoyed at myself for not being able to click with how to compute the damn gradient. Life did go on and I acknowledged it was ok that I didn't understand gradients and that I'm not an expert on all things. There would be other opportunities to learn inane society required maths by being one step ahead in the future and possibly hiring a tutor.
Our Topic Today:
Hey there, how's you day going? Good, Ok, Indifferent? How many times have you complained today? To complain is to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something. It's too hot, It's too cold, my feet hurt, my back hurts, blah, blah, blah. Yep, it's easy for a complaint to roll off the tongue. Stop for a minute and assess. Is it worth complaining about? Could you think differently? That doesn’t mean that things are great or that you have no reason to complain. This means, thinking of more constructive ways to broach or verbalise the subject matter in a positive manner. A good vent is necessary to your mental health, but not when practiced constantly on a daily basis.
Ok it's true, complaining is part of every day exchanges between people. Think on this, do you find that people have a bigger response to negative observations about the world than positive ones? People just want to get something off their chest, verbalise a problem to bring about change? You rant at your teenager complaining in hope they will clean up their room. You gripe at the hotel manager about your crap food because you want a response of sorry and for the meal to be wiped from your bill. Complaining usually stems from a need for acknowledgement and perhaps sympathy. There are some people though who are compulsively complain, grumbling incessantly with no real interest in dialogue, problem solving, or human connection.
Ok it's true, complaining is part of every day exchanges between people. Think on this, do you find that people have a bigger response to negative observations about the world than positive ones? People just want to get something off their chest, verbalise a problem to bring about change? You rant at your teenager complaining in hope they will clean up their room. You gripe at the hotel manager about your crap food because you want a response of sorry and for the meal to be wiped from your bill. Complaining usually stems from a need for acknowledgement and perhaps sympathy. There are some people though who are compulsively complain, grumbling incessantly with no real interest in dialogue, problem solving, or human connection.
Complaining is more about connecting us with people in the same boat, it can also shape how people perceive us. We are outwardly asserting that I matter. In our society we are supposed to smile, say everything is ok even when it's not. Complaining can sometimes reward us with outcomes or we get the acknowledgement we need. I was reading article by Tim Ferriss, for the Huffington Post, who writes, I Went 21 Days Without Complaining and it Changed My Life. His definition of complaining is" describing an event or person negatively without indicating next steps to fix the problem." It's easy to complain without realising it, but what really are you solving? Probably not much, except for you and I to feel like we have made a connection in the world when we're getting feedback we want.
There has been times in my life I've been a chronic complainer, I complained about everything. I realised that this constant complaining wasn't making any friends. In fact, it was pushing people away. Our brains tend to gravitate towards the negative, it's true. It's difficult to stop and become mindful of what we are saying. However, we can. I stopped being so complaining when in a moment I realised how stupid I felt, how negative I felt and how complaining wasn't getting me anywhere.
There has been times in my life I've been a chronic complainer, I complained about everything. I realised that this constant complaining wasn't making any friends. In fact, it was pushing people away. Our brains tend to gravitate towards the negative, it's true. It's difficult to stop and become mindful of what we are saying. However, we can. I stopped being so complaining when in a moment I realised how stupid I felt, how negative I felt and how complaining wasn't getting me anywhere.
This doesn't mean ignoring the challenges in life. Of course a good vent is necessary sometimes. Negative feelings don't need to be repressed. Heavens no. It's more about asserting to yourself that your mind can engage in more positive actions and thoughts. Simply ask yourself when you open your mouth: would you rather complain or be happy?
Our Challenge Today:
As we gallivant through our day. Be mindful of what you're are complaining about? Ask yourself what purpose it it serving? Can I change my words or simply not say a thing? Can I change my mindset? Do I have a solution?
Your Feedback:
I'd love to hear how you went with this challenge. Let me know how you went and how you felt undertaking this task or what you've read on this blog. If you'd like to get in touch with me personally email me at [email protected] or connect with me on Facebook.
I'd love your participation and feedback. Go to top of any post and click where it says comments or below each post. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
I'd love your participation and feedback. Go to top of any post and click where it says comments or below each post. You can remain anonymous if you wish.