It’s 2020, a new decade! On January 1st, we were all hopeful this year was going to be one of the best ones yet. Fast forward to March. Quarantined in our homes, we are glued to the television for the next update of a closure. There is no toilet paper to be found so many of our bums are raw from using McDonald’s napkins stored in our glove compartments. We cannot find even simple things like meat and dog food in the stores. Our kids are home and many of us are scrambling to find childcare. If we are lucky enough to be working from home with our children, we are holding on to the last bit of sanity we have. It is no wonder that we are aggravated. I urge you to stop complaining and count your blessings.

This article is my reminder

I have been doing some complaining–full on screaming at the top of my lungs complaining. Focusing on negativity and forgetting the positives. I will be the first to admit I can be the worse as finding the good in a horrible situation. I am writing today with the hopes of redirecting my own thinking moreso than to change anyone else’s thought process. Bare with me as I talk myself off of this ledge. This article is for me.

What do I have to complain about?

Why am I down? If you have read any of my past articles you already know I am a travel enthusiast. We had a wonderful trip planned for Spring Break, but this trip was also to celebrate my husband and my 15 year wedding anniversary. We had been planning this trip for close to a year. In fact, we had gone all out by starting our trip at Disneyland in California and ending the trip on a seven day cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

The tickets to Disneyland were a gift given to our son for Christmas as he is a huge Star Wars fan and we were very much looking forward to visiting Galaxy Edge. We had planned every minute of the trip. We had been looking forward to it and counting down the days. The trip has been cancelled and instead of doing these adventures, life as we know it is closed for business.

You may have planned a trip as well. Maybe you had planned to marry your soulmate at the end of March. Did you have plans to open a new business? Plans have been cancelled. We have every right to complain; it is okay to be negative. Life is crazy and disappointing. But now I am going to urge you to stop complaining and count your blessings. I am going to remind myself to do the same.

Stop complaining about your life

In March 2020, all we are hearing about is the negativity of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It is dictating every aspect of our lives. People are dying. The economy is tanking and schools are shutting down. People are losing their jobs and their livelihoods.

It is easy to complain. In fact, many times it makes us feel better to do it. Are you working harder and getting paid less? Let’s complain. Our boss is driving us nuts and does not appreciate us, let’s complain. We are dealing with issues with our spouse, let’s complain. We cannot control our children, let’s complain. Spring Break has been cancelled, let’s complain.

Recommended article: Stop Buying, Start Living, See The World

Stop complaining about your job

There is no reason to complain about your job. The reality is, you have a job when many people are struggling daily to find a job. Focus on the positive. Maybe you are working harder and getting paid less. You have a job. Count your blessings.

If you are going to work during the trying times of the Coronavirus, take pride in helping others. We need you! If you are first responder, we need you to get up and go to work to keep law and order and make sure we are safe and healthy. Healthcare workers, we need you more today than ever before. If you are a retail worker struggling to keep the shelves stocked, thank you (could you put aside a pack of toilet paper for me?). If you are a truck driver, we need you.

Jobs are called jobs for a reason. If they were fun and wonderful, they instead would be called a hobby. Most times a job is a means to an end. We need money to make it, therefore we need a job. Instead of complaining about your job, think about those who are being laid off because the business they work for is being closed due to the economy. Shouldn’t they be the ones to complain?

“Positive thinking is powerful thinking. If you want happiness, fulfillment, success and inner peace, start thinking you have the power to achieve those things. Focus on the bright side of life and expect positive results.”

― Germany Kent

Stop complaining in your relationships

Let’s face it, it is easy to take the ones we love for granted. We take the routine of life for granted and our relationships are no different. Let me take a moment to reflect on a personal story. I have a friend who woke up one day and went to work as he always had. He left his wife and children at home and headed into work as he had always done. That afternoon, he received a call his wife and one of his children were involved in a horrific car accident. Not knowing the outcome, he raced to the hospital to find out his wife had passed away. That day started as any other day had started, however it ended in a way that would forever change his life and the life of his two children.

If you are dealing with issues with your loved one, it can be rough. Sometimes you may wonder if it is worth it. Maybe you are fighting because your loved one does not appreciate the work you do around the house, maybe you have grown apart because you forgot to appreciate each other, maybe everyday life has just become too routine and you are in a rut. I urge you to live in gratitude. Be thankful for your spouse, loved one, kids. We are fortunate someone loves us and is willing to fight with us and for us.

Stop Complaining And Do Something

So now what? We stop complaining but we need to do something to change the mindset.

“Each day, wake up with a plan. Don’t just approach your days in an unfocused void. That state of mind leaves too much room for discontent, opposition, unhappiness and hopelessness.”

― Carlos Wallace, The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Train Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity

It is going to take a conscience decision to focus on the positive. We need a plan. Tell your little voice in your head to count your blessings.

How do you do this?

How To Focus On Your Blessings

Focus on Joy

Tommy Newberry said, “Many people think that WHEN their life gets better, they will have more joy. But the truth is this: When you have more joy, you have a better life!“

Focus on joy. Make the conscience decision not to complain. Do not take life’s blessings for granted. Be grateful.

Focus on God

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22.

This is the time to spend time on our knees giving our burdens, complaints, and worries to God.

Focus on Love

Start a family project. Play a game. Just talk. This is the time to focus on the love in your life. The kids may be driving us nuts, but there will come a time when the kids will no longer need us. Enjoy the time together, even the craziness of it all.

In summary:

Being forced to take a step back, slow down, and breathe, it is time to focus on the positive instead of the negative. Enjoy the time together. Rest and focus on renewal. Build a relationship with God and your family. Put aside fear and instead embrace love and kindness. Appreciate one another. In this world of negativity and hate, become the change. Stop complaining and count your blessings!

What do you think? Drop me a comment!

Disclaimer:

This post includes affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission and/or points/incentives should you click on a link and make a purchase or sign up for a free service. This blog is independently owned and the reviews of any product and/or travel destination here are my opinion