Tag: gossip

Categories
positive thinking

Continue the challenge

Try It For 21OK, so I have a confession to make. As I mentioned before, I originally had the idea for the no complaining and no gossiping challenge from a book I’m reading called “The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity” by Edwene Gaines. She put the challenge out of 21 consecutive days of no complaining or gossiping.

I modified it a bit here to make it 21 days of trying to not complain or gossip. Over the past 21 days I did OK most of the time, but did have a few lapses.

I must say that after 21 days of no complaining or gossiping, it has become a bit more natural to think of things more positively and to watch my words before they come out of my mouth. I have gained a greater awareness of the negative thoughts as they pop into my head, thus giving me the opportunity to steer them to the positive side.

So, I look at this 21-day challenge as a beginning to more positive thoughts. I will strive everyday to not complain or gossip. This is one challenge worth continuing!

Categories
positive thinking

Domino Effect

Try It For 21I’ve noticed a domino effect over the past 20 days. I’ve been telling everyone about my 21-day challenge of no complaining and no gossiping.

Here’s the typical response I get when I first tell someone what I’m doing:

  1. A blank look
  2. Some nervous laughter
  3. A contemplative look
  4. A statement like: “I’m not sure I could do that!”
  5. Stories about how complaining & gossiping has negatively impacted their life.
  6. A resolve to try it out.

Something else that happens: they immediately stop complaining and gossiping. At least for a moment.

The next time I run into them, they ask me how the challenge is going, and tell me they’ve told someone else about it. This is just an example that when we choose to think and act with integrity, we give the opportunity to those around us to do the same.

New challenge coming up tomorrow!

Categories
positive thinking

Complain & Gossip Defined

Try It For 21When I tell people that I’ve taken a challenge to not complain or gossip for 21 days, I often get questions about what is complaining or gossiping anyway?

My definitions:

Complain: Complaining is when you talk about a problem for the sake of talking about it. It may include blaming circumstances or other people. There is little to no talk about a solution, and usually no willingness to live the solution.

Gossip: Gossip cannot occur in a vacuum. Gossiping is the act of two or more people talking about another person or group of people that are not present for the conversation, and therefore unable to defend themselves. Gossiping is often done in the spirit of feeling superior to the person(s) being talked about or to. For instance, it may “feel good” to know some bit of juicy information before anyone else and can make the messenger feel smart for knowing it first.

Dictionary Definitions:

Complain (from www.dictionary.com)

1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.

2. to tell of one’s pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache.

3. to make a formal accusation: If you think you’ve been swindled, complain to the police.

Gossip (from www.dictionary.com)

to talk idly, esp. about the affairs of others; go about tattling.

What do these words mean to you?