Remember, it’s no whining Wednesday! The one day of the week where you do not get to Whine, Complain, or Criticize. Is this your first NWW? Check out the first post for details on what it’s about. Click Here.
Our inspiring quote for today is about the Silver Lining. But first, what is the silver lining?
Silver Lining – Use the term silver lining when you want to emphasize the hopeful side of a situation that might seem gloomy on the surface. The common expression “every cloud has a silver lining” means that even the worst events or situations have some positive aspect. (Google)
Today, I want you to look for the silver lining. If you come across a situation or feel yourself complaining, I want you to actively and consciously look for the good in that situation (however bad it may be). If you look for it, I am sure you will find it.
Welcome to Day One of No Whining Wednesdays! A new segment of The PBS Blog.
The No Whining Wednesday Badge
What is NWW?
No Whining Wednesdays is something coined by Iyanla Vanzant that I decided to adopt into this blog. It means that for the entire day today you CANNOT do the following:
– Whine
– Complain
– Criticize
Here are some definitions:
To Whine – give or make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound; to grumble, murmur or complain in a feeble way.
To Complain – express dissatisfaction or annoyance about a state of affairs or an event; state that one is suffering from; state of grievance.
To Criticize – indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way; to condemn, attack, discourage.
OK, now that we all know what whining, complaining, and criticizing is, there is only one rule: DON’T DO ANY OF THIS TODAY.
Punishment:
If you whine, complain, or criticize at all today you must put a quarter in a jar. If you have no quarter you can put a dime, nickel, or penny. Of course, this is optional. The idea is to hold yourself accountable and to maintain self-control. If that means investing a few quarters then do that. If it means something else, do that Maybe you can deny yourself that favorite snack or fast food. Just make it fun.
Every week I will post an inspirational quote to help us to get you started. I’m going to go out and purchase me a notebook and record my experiences and thoughts there. You can too or you can record your experience on your own blogs, it’s up to you. This activity is personal so it will be up to you, to be honest about how well you did. You can share it with us or not. It’s a completely personal exercise.
Rewards
Less stress and a happier, and overall greater appreciation for all things and all people in your life. Together, we will strive to be more grateful by eliminating complaints and discouragement from our lives, one Wednesday at a time. (Not to mention you can save some money).
Inspiring Quote of the Day
“Remember, you and you alone are responsible for maintaining your energy. Give up blaming, complaining and excuse making, and keep taking action in the direction of your goals – however mundane or lofty they may be.”
– Jack Canfield
Wait! What if I start whining!?
First, go find some quarters. But if you’re struggling, no worries. You can take a moment to:
Pray
Sing
Listen to Music
Read
Write
Think about / Count your blessings
Call a Friend
Clean the house
Anything productive
Today is yours. Go out and conquer it and remember, no complaining!
Concrete painted the color of our scars
red for the blood of every gangsta who died
believing that defending a street corner
was keeping it real
for every nigga who wears degradation
like it’s his first name
every rebellion
that hates nothing more than truth but a mirror
prissy pink for every woman
who thought her legs were the railroad tracks to femininity
purple for every woman who wore her hips like monkey bars
and her heart like a welcome mat to trample on
when the hatred is spread so generously across her breast
that she feeds this to every “no good man”
she can’t deny a place between her legs
for every tire streaking soot of alcoholic footprints
leading to 24 hour liquor stores
like “look how easy this money is”
green for all the trees whose winters are too brutal
to change from the boo-boo brown of its community
not when hope still hangs it’s strings in the crack filled streets of Harlem
where faith whispers it’s goodbyes to chains and locked doors
the ones with concrete style floors
and bronze heavens
and every prayer is polluted with “I told you so’s”
for every struggle
just remember
that the sun still has the courage to rise in the mornings
which means that the day still has the audacity
to be beautiful…
Psa 3:5 “…weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
When I saw this quote on the Book Rags Facebook Page, I knew I wanted to use it for Writer’s Quote Wednesday:
I had to read this a few times before ascribing to understanding its meaning. Then, I had to read it again because of its beauty. Here are my thoughts on its meaning:
Happiness is such a nourishing feeling that it does not resolve to be stagnant. Happy people are continuously striving to be happy. They are smiling people, complimenting people, grateful people, and they have something good to say about each day. Even in the midst of trial, happiness will always seek that excitement. While it may have settled to drink of its own glory, its wings will still move toward the direction of that which is good.
“Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place, but there is always a little corner that keeps flapping.” – E.L. Konigsburg
1930-2013
I am not familiar with Konigsburg, but interestingly enough I was not surprised to find that she was a writer and illustrator of children’s books and young adult fiction. To me her quote became so much clearer, since there is something fresh about young people that is always exciting, especially small children.
She is one of six writers to win two Newbery Medals, the venerable American Library Association award for the year’s “most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature.”
The PBS Blog 