The reward you've all been waiting for....drum roll please...Your reward will be in Heaven. :) Just kidding...well...kind of. I know, I know...lame, right? :) Listen, if you agreed to join me in the challenge not to complain for one whole day, then you have chosen to make your environment around you better. The energy that could have been wasted and drained by thinking and meditating on all the "what ifs'" and the "if I could just's" was redirected into positive energy...which is less draining on you, I promise. Whatever energy your are putting off, is felt by your family...whether it be positive or negative. Have you ever gotten really excited about something all of a sudden and your kids lit up and got really excited with you, even though they didn't even understand why you were so happy? You're contagious. Think on that. Your reward when you choose to "do everything without complaining or arguing" is that you "shine" and don't think for a second that those precious little people around you aren't influenced by that light, because you are one of the greatest influences in their lives, both now, and forever.

I used to think that I was just being real when I vented the anger and disappointment I felt as soon as I felt it. As long as I was just keeping it real, it was okay. The problem, though, was that all my complaining was driving me further into the pit I was making for myself. The pit of self-pity. It can be hard to come out of at times, once the pit is dug. It's going to take one small choice at a time. So choose again, today, to make a promise to yourself, "I will complain less today, and smile more today, even if I don't feel like it yet."You're worth it, and so are your kids, so, SHINE ON, MOMMA FRIEND! SHINE ON, and be blessed because of it. Much love to you today. You are doing a great job. Keep on keeping on!

One last entry will be posted on this topic tomorrow to wrap up this "Do everything without complaining" challenge. If this challenge was hard for you and you are looking a true word of encouragement, that will be the one to read.

((***side note: There are times when you just need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, and the relief afterward is wonderful. I am not trying to discredit the importance of talking with a friend when you are truly struggling, but I am encouraging that you choose to not make complaining your all-day long affair. And don't waste all the energy that you DO have that day complaining about the small stuff, like how the kids left a million crumbs under the table after dinner. :) Many instances of self-pity, and self-loathing will actually just make you more self-centered, and then it becomes harder to focus on serving the little people around you. The attitude becomes, "Why should I have to (fill in the blank)" instead of "How may I serve you today?". Something to consider is all.))