Music to Their Ears

Day 3. So far so good :)

Thanks to the influence of American Idol and Southern Belles, I am in the process of reshaping my habits to combat the complaining temptation with the following responses:

*Note: The examples are (for the most part....) hypothetical situations ;)

1.) A song - in an unfortunate situation that is provoking the complaining bug, just take your usual, instinctive reaction, completely flip flop the words and sing your response. Eg., after barely tipping over a wine glass and having it shatter all over the counter, learn to bite your tongue, release, and sing "Oh, soft fluffy baaaaaallssss of warm fuzziness. I loooooo-uh-uh-uh-ve when I so gracefully bump breakable things with my loving touch, for this teaches meeeee humilityyyyy and patience. Now, reeeeeest innnnnn peeeeeeace, dear broken glaaaass (fluctuating between alto, soprano, and tenor)." Sing as long as you need to, until feelings of complaining subside.    

2.) A sweet tone of voice - if someone tells you you're a big baby and uses a sarcastic, cutting tone of voice, then take one deep breath, and in the girliest most innocent voice ever, respond with - "Aw, I think I may be sensing some pent up stress there that you're accidentally taking out on this innocent bystander, muah. But, don't you worry, buttercup, no harsh feelings whatsoever. We all have our off days." And, then, for extra brownie points, throw in a wink ;) 

3.) A sugared phrase - "How adorable that a 21-year-old baby brother still wants his mommy to make his breakfast, scratch his back, and cuddle. Bless his sweeeeeeeeet little heart...."

4.) A nice smile accompanied with a batting of the eyes and a light giggle - soccer game or food network (in the slight off chance that you're possessing the clicker before the boys walk in the room)......."Yes, I have always wanted to bond with by bwuddahs over Everyday Italian. Oh, you're just going to LOVE Giada  :)" 

Sarcasm or not, these alternate responses really do have a positive effect on one's attitude, or at least they do for me (so far....as in today, ha! :). They usually lead to a smile, laughter, and/or a light-hearted feeling. I don't know about anyone else, but I sure prefer these 'new,' spiced-up reactions. I'm looking forward to implementing them more in my life, until they become habit :)

Cheers to not complaining!

xoxo

It's Official

Welp....There ya go. It's officially official. Nothing like a purple silicone wristband to lock this fun, minute 'agreement' in stone, right??!! 


So, apparently, word spreads quickly (thanks to present day technology....oh, and lovely mothers with lovely mouths who like to keep their husbands in the loop ;), and my Dad found out about my 40-day (or 31 day;) complaining fast.


He, being the super star encourager and supporter that he is (oh, and not to mention benefiting firsthand from my li'l experiment....dad + grumble-free experimenter = happy happy joy joy :), returned from work today with "A Complaint Free World.org" bracelet for me. Yes, how thoughtful.


Haha, oh Daddy. Thank you ever so much for your gift. Quite frankly, I LOVE it! Purple is so my color and we all know how much I love silicone, woot woot! 


Day 2. And, I already have a new accessory for my fashionable wardrobe and two parents who are onboard with one of my ideas. Now, I could get use to this ;) 

And, She's Off!

Complain

verb (used without object)

To express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault.

(Dictionary.com) 

Philippians 2:14 ~ Do everything without complaining or arguing.

Lent is 40 days. I know. You're point being.....? Forty minus 31 allows nine days wiggle room of potential complaining. Ugh, maybe I shouldn't be so pessimistic, but then again, it is me, Ali Wright, we're talking about here. One complaint-free afternoon is difficult enough, let alone 31 days! What was I thinking?!!! 


How it all went down:


Driving today, a thought (or string of thoughts, rather....okay, a full on convo with myself) popped into my head. Complaining. So unattractive. And, why do most people have to be professionals?! So annoying to be around! 


Not so fast, oh mature, wise one! I believe what you're doing right now is considered complaining....


Busted.


You're right. I am quite the well seasoned complainer, aren't I?


Well, up for a li'l challenge? How about taking a break (just for a bit...a rest, if you will) from the good ol' act of grumblin'? It is Lent, ya know?


I guess it can't hurt, right?? For starters, I like a little competition. Second, it reminds me of a research study...on myself (should be interesting to see the effects, positive, hopefully). And, oh yeah, can't forget the most important - it will force me to be completely and utterly dependent on You, God, if I am to follow through with this 'fun' challenge :)


So, there you have it. I'm participating (or, at least attempting to participate) in Lent this year. Not for legalistic reasons. Or even religious reasons. It just so happened that it began yesterday, and I just kinda feel like taking a break from complaining. That's all. Nothing huge. Just a simple heart cleansing detox. Not sure if it's a good idea to share with the public like this, but whatever. It will be good for accountability reasons, right?! I mean, how hard can this be? I can not eat sugar for three weeks, and purely, this is the same thing.....God, You love my pride, don't You?! And, my facetious sarcasm. Oh peas louise. Off to a good start......Start over. To be honest, this shouldn't be a bigger deal than this post is making it out to be. Simply put, I want to take a break from complaining, and I miss writing, so why not write about a potentially....humorous? impossible? for sure challenging, feat?! ;)  


Anyway, day one. Over. Who said I followed through today without complaining?? Haha, oh boy, this sure is going to be fun(ny). And, besides, complaining is relative, right?! Or, at least in the ear of the beholder?.....Just don't tell anyone about my li'l challenge. That way my failed attempts can remain between You and me. Oh, boy, just think of how that'll look if my family finds out! Or my friends!! I'm....I'm.....not hopeless. Just a widdle girl wanting to try a complaint-free couple weeks....days....hours...moments. Good thing it's the 'moments' and 'little things' (or steps) in life that are worth noticing and being grateful for, right?! :)


Cheers! Now go eat, drink, and be merry without that complainin' ;)


Okay, God, but for reals now. I do want to try the whole 'no complaining' thing. But, we both know it can NOT be done without Your Grace, Your Power, Your very Life flowing through me! So, with that, I invite You to be my 'Grumble-Free is the Way to Be' Desire and Execution throughout this time. Thank You :)

You Did What?!?!

It's been too long, I know. This time around, it was my conscience that drove me to write.


God, confession time.


Mom, I'm sorry. I figured you would forgive me. In fact, you're the reason I did what I did. Anyway, here's how it all went down:


Last Friday night (no, I didn't start singing the lyrics to Katy Perry's hit song), I served at my classmate's Friday Night Dinner (crazy busy but a total blast, btw :).


Toward the end of the evening, just before dessert was served, I was clearing a woman's plate from the table. She stopped me and pointed at the bracelet I was wearing - not just any bracelet, mind you, but the very first bracelet that my very own mother (that's you, Mom) designed and created for me. Special piece of jewelry. Pearls, 'HOPE', and a cross and heart charm were the bracelet's dominate attributes that I most admired.


Anyway, this woman (gosh darnit, I'm forgetting her name....Sylvia. No...Janet. No. Man, why can't I remember a stinkin' name?!! Dad, your Lumosity Brain exercises are taking their sweet precious time to kick in!! Oh, wait! Fran. That sounds vaguely familiar...regardless if it's the woman's name or not, we're sticking with Fran....) comments on the piece of sterling silver - plus a few pearls and charms - and wants to know where I got it. "My Mom made it. She makes jewelry," was my overly intelligent response. Fran was shocked! She wanted to know how/where she could get one just like mine. How much would it cost. When she could get it. Etc. Um....I had to excuse myself. Had to clear a dish....


Okay God, for some reason, at that moment, I felt like I needed to (or more wanted to, rather) give this Fran woman my bracelet. . . Returning to her table with the jewelry in my hand, I slipped the bracelet into her palm. I had given Fran my very first bracelet that my Mama had given to me. Right as I gave it to her, she noticed the little cross charm. "Oh, but, I'm Jewish...I can't wear a cross..." Badoom shing.... She was Jewish. But, of course. Hence why I felt so compelled to give her my 'Hope' bracelet with a cross. It didn't seem to bother her too much. She said she could 'hide' the cross. I told her she could explain to her Jewish friends that a sweet li'l Christian girl gave her the bracelet :) Anyway...


Mom, so that's how the story goes. I gave my bracelet away. Happy Fran. Sad Ali (not really). But, naked wrist. Okay, okay, before you go on gettin' all mad at me and stuff (using this for story sake onl), everyone knows you would be the last person on planet earth to be upset over such a minuscule thing as this. In fact, you've often initiated such generous acts of kindness :), just think: A Jewish woman (who fell in love with a Jesus bracelet you made) is now wearing it on her wrist. Oh, I forgot to mention that this woman Fran told me that she has copious amounts of jewelry (including many pieces from Tiffany's and an $800 watch), yet she was absolutely googoo gaga over YOUR humble and simple yet elegant and classy bracelet. I thought that was cool :)


Yep, I'm guilty as charged. I gave my bracelet to a Jewish woman....


That's that.


Cheers to life and silly stories  :)

All Okay

God, I love Your sign of promise, the rainbow. It's a visual reminder of Your faithful consistency. You're God. Always the same. You never ever change. Yes, Your ways tend to be out of the box, unexpected, a mystery, but they're always consistent with Your character. I love that. I love You.


I, on the other hand, am constantly inconsistent. So unreliable. So up and down, front to back. I change. People change. Circumstances change. Thoughts and emotions change.


But, that's okay....so, I'm learning.


It's okay.


It's okay to feel.


It's okay to be human.


It's okay to not know.


It's okay to not have everything figured out.


It's okay to experience pain.


It's okay to be honest.


It's okay to confront.


It's okay to be vulnerable.


It's okay to love.


It's okay to be loved.


It's okay to know.


It's okay to ache.


It's okay to know something is right, even if it hurts.


It's okay open up.


It's okay to have boundaries.


It's okay to be uncomfortable.


It's okay to feel sad.


It's okay to move on.


It's okay to feel small.


Yet, it's okay to know and rest in a Big God.


It's okay to live.


It's okay to be okay.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpMI8Qu5fsc



It's okay to be okay with being human and weak. 


I serve a Crazy Amazing Unchanging Strong God.


Thank You Jesus :)


I'm okay. Better yet. I'm content to rest in You.


oxo

Just Because

Hi Daddy.


No, I didn't write 51 things I love about you on your birthday.


And, no, I didn't sing you a rappin' rhyme for Father's Day.


I'm sorry.


Does this make me a horrible daughter???


You'll get over it I presume :)


So, the reason for this blog post???


Just Because.


Just because I felt like it.


Just because you're pretty darn cool....you like to surf and you don't have gray hair....yet, at least ;)


Just because you're funny....like that time you thought that Andy Warhol statue was a real person.


Just because you're thoughtful....you'll watch "Bachelor" and "So You Think You Can Dance" with Mama.


Just because you have sophisticated tastes....you like bitter dark beers on tap and pink fro yo with sprinkles.


Just because you're mega smart....."The retracting neurochemical heightened responses overstimulated the oral cavity perpendicular to the transmembrane cranial sacrel yada yada yad. Capeesh?!"


Just because you're graceful...like the time you tried to fit all your bulky luggage through the Metro turnstile and...and....and....I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard!! bahhahahahaha!!!


Just because your laugh is contagious.....once you begin, there ain't no stoppin'! vicious cycle!!


Just because you're the world's best dad....this one doesn't need explaining. it's a given :)


Just because you're passionate.....about futbol....like that one time your silly, non-thinker daughter told you the outcome of a big-time soccer game before you had the chance to watch it....which leads me to


Just because you're full of humility....Jesus' grace!


Just because you love Jesus with such a deep, wide intense love....you're one of the only human beings that makes me cry when you say the name Jesus.


Just because you're a gift....from God!


Just because I'm soooooo beyond blessed and grateful to have YOU as my Daddy!


Just because I LOVE YOU!


Just because.


Do I really need a reason???


Dad. Not many people can say that word and truly mean it. I can.


I miss you and love you to San Diego and back!!!


xoxo 

Sweet as Pooh

Hi God :) I know I know, it's been waaaay tooo loooooong. But, anyway, here I am, writing more silly occurrences of my grand dramatic life....Ha!.....


K, so it went something like this ~


'Pedro' (name change for privacy reasons ;): "Ali, guess what?! I've been saying 'poop' like you told me to!!" 
He gives me a big ol' grin and a thumbs up.


Me: "You mean in exchange for the f-word?? Aw, Pedro! That's my boy!!"
Big grin and thumbs up in return.


You just never know when your sound, wise advice will rub off on those around you :)
Well, I know 'poop' probably isn't the best word replacement, but it's a start. 
Baby steps.


P.S.
God, I love you! You're pretty great :D