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Today guest poster Cheri has a special message and invitation for you:
As I thumbed through a copy of A Complaint-Free World five years ago, I considered myself the most optimistic, positive, encouraging (and obviously humble) person I knew.
In fact, I joked to my husband that we needed to buy two (maybe three) dozen copies to give the long list of negative people in my life who drag me down with their never-ending complaints, criticism, and gossip.
Than I read a little farther. And the author had the nerve to suggest that of all the negative people in my life, I might be the worst of the worst!
That. Made. Me. Mad.
So I decided to take the author’s Complaint-Free challenge: 21 days with no complaining. Just to prove how wrong he was, I even ordered his silly little purple bracelet.
The instructions were simple: I was to start each day with the bracelet on my left wrist. As soon as I caught myself complaining, criticizing, or gossiping, I was to move the bracelet to the other wrist. For accountability, I told my students what I was doing.
Big mistake.
Did my students ever warm up to the “challenge.” In the first class, my bracelet switched arms five times in just three minutes!
The shocker was that each time took me totally by surprise. I wasn’t even thinking critical thoughts, when suddenly, “Mrs. G? Is that complaining I hear?”
I soon discovered that my optimistic self-image resembled reality the way a chick flick resembles marriage: hardly at all.
Sound Familiar?
Maybe you’ve experienced some of the same warning signs I have. See if you identify with any of the following statements:
___ “My life would be much easier without the negative people who drag me down.
___ “I speak Sarcasm fluently.”
___ “When I see a type-o on a sign, I have to point it out to someone.”
___ “I’m surrounded by difficult people at work and/or at home.”
___ “It’s not really gossip; everything we say about her is true.”
___ “There’s an impossible person in my life who will never change.”
___ “I struggle with anxiety, fear, and/or depression.”
___ “Negative things people have said keep popping back into my mind.”
If two or more sound familiar, you’re invited to take The PURSE-onality Challenge!
What is The PURSE-onality Challenge?
Quite literally, it’s 31 days of replacing “baditude” with God’s word and gratitude, May 1-31 (with a warm-up week starting April 22.)
I’ve tried the Complaint-Free challenge many times in the last five years. But just trying to stop old bad habits was never enough; I needed to start new ones to replace the old.
So for one month, we’ll be focusing on four positive habits: spotlighting Personality strengths, eliminating complaints, journaling gratitude, and memorizing scripture.
Take The PURSE-onality Challenge if…
…you feel convicted to change your thoughts and words.
…you’re at your wit’s end with a particular relationship.
…you desire more hope, joy, and peace in your life.
Check out our website to sign up!
You’ll also find three free audio messages:
Personality Puzzle for Parents of Preschoolers
and
Healthy Marriages Major in History (NOT Math!)
plus a free e-Book: Top 10 Priceless Gifts that Don’t Cost a Dime for Each PURSE-onality!
Giveaway {Closed}
Enter to win a free copy of The PURSE-onality Challenge journal and a set of 31 laminated Bible verse cards!
Mandatory: Leave a comment telling what changes you’d most want to see in your life from taking The PURSE-onality Challenge!
Cheri Gregory has been married to her pastor/teacher/musician college sweetheart, Daniel, for 23 years. The Gregorys are enjoying their newly “empty nest,” now that Jonathon (19) has joined Annemarie (21) at college. Cheri is a high school English teacher and Christian speaker/author. Connect with her via Facebook, cheri@cherigregory.com, and www.CheriGregory.com.
Disclosure: this is a sponsored guest post
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This sounds good! I want to do this so it will rub off on to my grumbling 11 YO son!
I used to be quite an optimistic, happy person, but lately I’ve become more negative and complaining. I’d like to have an awareness of this, and see an improvement in my outlook on life as a result. I love this challenge!
Yes, this is a good thing. The one that grabbed me was:
“I struggle with anxiety, fear, and/or depression.”
I think for me it’s my thought life that needs a makeover~ I’ve been working really hard to allow God to control what comes out of my mouth, but there is still a struggle to replace those things at the source… my mind!
I’d like to take this challenge as a family to help all of our outlooks on things. How we speak to each other and others around us in our daily lives.
Oh, my goodness. I’m such a complainer. I want to replace my complaints with thankfulness. I also think my tone of voice will change too!
With the birth of our 4th, my husbands job ending and trying to homescool I’ve been fighting depression! I feel this would be a great family challenge! Thanks for the timeliness
Ugh, homeschool! Silly phone!
I could really use a reality check! I think of myself a positive, but I can relate to your list of possible signs I might have a problem a little too well! Sarcasm is my crutch! Help me!! I am signing up for the challenge today!!
i have realized that i dont even notice my bad attitude…its just so natural to me to whine or gossip…that needs to change! I would love to win the journal and take this challenge!
I’d like to see a more positive, joyful attitude in myself. I’m looking forward to taking the challenge and seeing positive results in my life.
I’m crying! The timing of this challenge is straight from God! I praise Him that I’m not in the throes of depression like I have been in the past, but I am convicted that I haven’t been doing the things He’s shown me to do- such as actually practicing gratitude….
I really want to find my joy again. I am in close proximity with people who are very negative, and it is amazing how all that can rub off on us without us even realizing it. I know God wants me to find joy and gratitude in my situation regardless of those around me. sometimes I am just not sure how to do that. I hope this study is going to be a big help.
I want to enjoy life again. Teach my children to not worry about what isn’t fair but to be grateful that we have today and have it together!
I want to be able to brighten up someone’s life every day. Change the negative for positive.
I have been in a slump lately. Last November I quit my job of 15 years to become a stay at home mom. I’m very thankful for the opportunity but I don’t feel like I’m making a difference anymore. Then last week my parents ended their almost 39 year marriage. Both of these have been a hard adjustments and I’m trying to turn my baditude to gratitude. I want to see the positives in life and be grateful for everything He has given me. Thank you for this opportunity! God bless!
Oh I don’t like the number of things on that list that I KNOW I do all the time! I’m looking forward to some change!
I love this challenge, Cheri! It is so easy to bow to negativity without even realizing it. Although I see myself as a positive, uplifting, “glass-is-half-full” kind of person, my critical spirit often cuts through the farce. In the PURSE-onality Challenge, I’d like to replace my little digs and complaints with encouragement and praise, my put-downs with “lift-ups,” and my wounded pride when things don’t go my way with joy in just being.
I would love this!! I too have been in a slump, very negative about some situations going on in our life. It’s made me a grumpy wife, an uninvolved mother and I need to get back on track!
I would love this. I don’t feel particularly negative, although I have seasons of it, but I bet I would be surprised at how negative I am. I think it would be great to do this with my 2 teenage girls!!
I’d like to be happier in life and complaining doesn’t leave any room for halppiness.
That last description is totally me. I’m a Words of Affirmation person and the things people say to me frequently have way more impact than they seem like they should. And I am my own worst enemy in that department. I find it so impossibly easy to get down on myself about things. I would just like to learn to be more positive, particularly when it comes to giving myself a little grace.
I am Connie complainer! I need this challenge & book!
I would like to be less of a complainer and replace negative words others have said with God’s Truth!!
Being less critical of others.
Thanks!Bethany
I have looked into the same Complaint Free information/challenge and had a few bracelets of my own. It did help for awhile, and the it got old and became more of an inconvenience. As far as the the PURSE-onality challenge goes, I’d love to figure out a way to help ease my anxiety. I have struggled all my life and have seen a few psychologists, yet nothing has helped. If your journal is able to help with my anxiety, then I pray to win! =)
This sounds amazing. Would love to win. And would most like to see my patience grow for my children.
I want to stop being the “stinking-thinker”.
This is amazing! those statements above were pretty familiar. looking forward to your next post.