Gratitude Challenge: 10 Days Without Complaining

Nov, 15, 2011 by

 

 

 

A few weeks ago, I decided I would give you a challenge: I would ask you to go at least ten days without complaining.

 

And do you know what happened?

I woke up last Friday morning and found my sister calmly restraining a water leak in our kitchen (she’s more laid back than I am).

Of course, my husband was out-of-town for the day.  And I am about as handy with plumbing as a giraffe.

My sister wrapped up the leak with some kind of heavy tape, then tried to turn off the water-meter-thingy in the front yard while I got breakfast on the table for my hungry kids (who were asking for granola and hot cocoa).

She was unsuccessful in turning off the water-meter-thingy, so we just baby-sat the leak all day (emptying buckets and bowls every hour or two), until my husband got home that evening to rescue us.

What am I trying to say?

Never plan to ask other people to quit complaining unless you are willing to smile through a water leak.

I did not smile through it, by the way.  My sister sweetly told me to quit being a grump (we are brutally honest with one another, my sister and me).  It took me a few minutes, but I got my bad attitude under control and we ended up having a great day, despite the mess.

So, on to my challenge:

Can you go 10 days without complaining? 

I think you can.  I think I can.  If we really try.

I shared a similar challenge with my readers, and again with the ladies of our Church in west Texas, a few years ago.

The response was the same: “I can’t believe how much I complain!  I do it without even thinking!” 

So, can you do it?

Overlook dirty clothes on the floor, flies in the house (yes, we still have flies this time of year in Texas), fussy family members, nosy neighbors, the burnt supper you slaved over, the leaky plumbing, or whatever else drives you crazy?

I know you can do it.  For just ten days.

If nothing else, you (and I) will realize how easy it is to gripe, and how much of a choice it is to shut our mouths and smile instead.

Grab our button and join the 10 Days Without Complaining challenge at Little Natural Cottage!

This beautiful button was created for Little Natural Cottage by An Original Bell.

Copy and save our button, then post it on your blog and link it to www.LittleNaturalCottage.com

 

 

If you don’t have a blog, leave me a comment and let me know you’re in for the challenge.

I’ll check in next week and let you know how things are going at my end.

Hopefully, no more water leaks.  ;)

 

 

the Natural Cottage Mama

This post is linked at Domestically Divine, GratiTuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, and Just Write.

Encouraged by what you read here? I warmly invite you to subscribe to receive our encouraging articles via email. Please feel free to drop me a note if you have questions or just want to say hi. You can also join us on FaceBook and Twitter to keep in touch.

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

Related Posts

Tags

Share This

468 ad
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000460646885 Tara Wright

    I’ll Try it!!!

    • http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com Kristy Howard

      Oh, good- two on board!!  Who’s next?  ;)  

  • http://www.myblessingsunlimited.net/klitz Blessings Unlimited by Alice

    Love this! And I am up for the challange:)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1063869565 Lisa Hurst

    I posted it to my blog! Let’s spread the word! graciouslyliving.blogspot.com

    • http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com Kristy Howard

      Thank you ladies for sharing!  Jackie, I meant to mention in my post the fact that it is JUST TEN DAYS till Thanksgiving… I thought the timing couldn’t be better ! 

      So far, no complaints today, although I had to shut my mouth rather quickly a few times. ;)  

  • Jacky Luetschwager

    I will give it a try also.  Love this idea especially now around Thanksgiving – in fact it is 10 days till Thanksgiving.  I added your button.  My blog is: 

  • http://www.enrichedfamily.blogspot.com Chrissy

    The Lord has been convicting me of this. I have been complaining a lot of certain issues and I feel like the leaky water faucet in proverbs.  :) Thanks for the challenge.

  • http://profiles.google.com/anoriginalbelle Rae Bella

    Count me in.  I had to think about this one though… can I do it?  I guess answering a question (i.e.-how are you feeling) honestly isn’t complaining unless given wholly over to description and negative attitude also.  Yes, you may laugh at me, but a chirpy “fine!” would be a lie,  I believe.  For some reason, my comment looks as it’s it’s going to be under the name “rae bella” instead of H. Rae from An Original Belle.  But it’s really me!  I’m going to go grab your button now.

    • http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com Kristy Howard

      H. Rae, I don’t think honesty is complaining.  I think of complaining more as dwellling on and talking about negative things in our life. 

      There are lots of times we will not “like” our situation, or how we feel, etc. 

      Thanks for linking up, my friend!   

  • http://twitter.com/galitbreen Galit Breen

    Oh, this is a GOOD idea! Refocusing on the positive can only possibly be a good thing! Love!

  • Michaele

    Hi!  I came over from Dicky Bird’s Nest and I would like to try.
    http://sproutnwings.blogspot.com/

  • Anonymous

    I’m with you!!

  • Pingback: Little Natural Cottage's 10 Day Challange |

  • sheree

    I do not usually comment on the blogs I follow, but I could not help but praise the Lord for his timing.  My family and I have been talking about the need to cultivate a grateful, thankful attitude without complaing.  Now I find this challenge from another blog.  What timing.  We have been focusing on Philippians 2:14-15.  Thanks for the exta encouragement and challenge to carry this through!  Sheree

    • http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com Kristy Howard

      Sheree, your comment really blessed me!  Thank you for taking the time to share.  :)

  • benpip

    How funny is this?… our Bible study group was given complaint bracelets last week, and each time you complained you were to switch it to the other wrist and record the complaint and see what God shows you for a week.  I couldn’t go one day without complaining about something, and I had to switch my bracelet many times. But, a few things God showed me was, I really like getting my way, ( just being honest ;(. ) I allow others to hinder my walk, I learned to catch myself before the thought even came out and I would just laugh and switch it. I also realized that when others complained, I tend to go right there with them. (I also thought, they need a bracelet!!!lol!) I know that there will be sufferings in this world, and our days don’t always go as we plan, but if we try to be intentional about being positive and uplifting to others, we won’t be as likely to turn into a “Negative Ninny”! Love this!! So glad I hopped from Teach Me Tuesdays at Growing Home!

    • http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com Kristy Howard

      I’m glad you did, too!  :)  

      I like what you said- “if we try to be intentional about being positive and uplifting others”.  It really IS an intentional choice, a decision.  Thanks for your input! 

  • Sarah Ellzey

    I so need this! I am going to try this challenge, and I think Thanksgiving week is the best time for me to try this. Less complaining will make the holiday more pleasant for everyone, I’m sure.

  • Annemieke van den Heuvel

    Annemieke
    Thank you for this challenge. I really want to take it oversees and told my friends an family in Holland (where I live) about it! This is my first day. I like the comment of benpip too with the bracelet. How inspiring people can be! Thank you all.

  • Pingback: {Day 6} 10 Days Without Complaining | littlenaturalcottage.com

  • Michandcar

    I’m going to try it, Great idea. Thank you.

  • Pingback: Getting to the Heart of Your Words | littlenaturalcottage.com

  • Kim Idell

    Count me in!  Starting Day 1. 

  • Anonymous

    I am with Kim STARTING DAY 1 =0)

  • Pingback: | littlenaturalcottage.com

  • Pingback: Top 5 Online Resources for Frugal, Family-Building Christmas Gifts | littlenaturalcottage.com

  • http://www.simplyraising8.com Missy

    I  am adding this to my clipix just found it today when linking up. I will be doing this. guess i need a bracelet like the one girl was talking about. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/GritsMom Susan Barber

    Count me in, starting NOW! :)

  • Little Sis

    Whoa. That’s a big challenge with one of the big holidays and family frenzy that goes with it coming. I am hesitant, but feel like I should give it a go. The fact that I know it will be hard suggests that it really is a good idea. ;-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/daphney.cordeiro Michael-Daphney Cordeiro

    This is a great challenge. I’m going to start today!

  • Alison Bayne

    I’m up for this, starting today. Thanks for the inspiration. Will be wearing a special bracelet to remind me.