“If you want to get over a problem, stop talking about it. Your mind affects your mouth and your mouth affects your mind. It’s difficult to stop talking about a situation until you stop thinking about it.”
~Joyce Meyer

Point to Ponder:
What current situation do you find yourself venting about?

Action Item:
Make a conscious effort this week to replace negative comments about “problems” with positive statements that spread only joy.

by Neissa Brown Springmann

I admit, I’ll do just about anything to avoid a chronic complainer or negative person. With that said, I absolutely think it’s healthy and necessary to vent our frustrations and unload our struggles to trusted friends. In fact, in order to feel like I am not living alone on my own planet, I’ve recently needed to vent, but in doing so I have found that it’s a slippery slope because I’ve not gotten over my so called ‘problems.’  Like the quote in the picture says, I’ve found that the more I talk about them, the more I think about them, which only causes more frustration.

There’s no doubt that all problems are relative, and what seems cumbersome to one person can be trivial to the other. Despite the range of problems, everyone feels like they have them — but if I really get honest with myself, I don’t have one real problem. Instead, I’m just discouraged and tired. However, the truth is that the root of my complaining wasn’t just so I could be heard, the truth is that I wanted someone to validate my feelings and feel sorry for me… which is laughable.

Because I don’t like complainers, which translates to “I am tired of hearing my self-absorbed pity party,” I’m making it a goal to stop complaining about my ridiculous “problems” and start proclaiming my passions instead (even if it’s in my mind and only to myself). I tested the theory over the weekend and not only do I feel better, but I like myself more and appreciate my life a lot more!

I’m a big-picture thinker, and in being this way I always imagine the monumental possibilities when a group of people embark on a positive initiative together. So in this particular situation, I invite and challenge you to join forces with me and make it a new year’s goal to proclaim your passions over your problems. And, when I say passions, I mean anything that brings you joy. Whether they are your pets, family, work or hobbies, your passions are yours and by sharing them you are spreading joy, which everyone needs more of!

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