what is okay, right, good?

11.february.2022

inspiration station

I am trying to complain less ... trying to really "hear myself" and how I say things, react to others, and assess situations during and afterwards.

Who's with me?

Snippeteers, it is SO easy to whine, complain, name the negative, isn't it? To list everything that isn't okay. We

humans are all guilty of this.

I do not like grocery shopping. I am an indecisive Libra and it takes me way too long. I stand there staring at a shelf like a zombie amongst 37 choices of mustards. (Don't get me started on the cereal section.) I roll the cart aisle to aisle, up and down, back and forth until the wheels wobble (oh wait, they were already wobbling - bad cart), going the length of the entire store and back again, searching for the correct aisle where the item might be hiding. It is a wild goose grocery chase, ultimately culminating in chasing down a store clerk - and not only once.

(Oh Dear Shopping Lords, can't there be a better system!? Ahh, yes, it's called Instacart and yes, I peruse it sometimes.)

Whoops, here I go complaining.

Anyway ... I miraculously finish and climb back into my truck here in Florida-land after loading the groceries. I begin the complaint (only my steering wheel is listening), ready to spout off about how much I hate grocery shopping, how long it takes me, and that I'd rather be on the beach or getting a colonoscopy.

I stop myself. Instead, I force out a list of the blessings of grocery shopping:

I am blessed to be able to buy what I want
I don't have to bother with coupons
I never go hungry
I am able to easily feed my family
I have store choices
I have 37 mustard choices
I don't have to take a bus or walk home with all these bags.
I have a big strong husband at home who always helps me carry in the groceries.

Well, lookie here! So many more OKAY things than WORRIES. Amazing. (And the positive words feel much better than the stinkin-thinkin ones.)

Your homework, sweet snippeteers: next time you're ready to open your pie-hole to whine ... catch your lips and shut them tight. Instead, voice what is right, okay, and good about the situation.

What is comforting?

What are the blessings?

Who's with me?

snippeteer backtalk

your reactions to the last snippet:

refresh, renew, rejuvenate

"Just what I needed right now. I absolutely have to purge. The two rooms I do not use are starting to look like I am ready for an episode of Hoarders - how embarrassing!! Thank you for your words of inspiration in all your wonderful issues!!"

~ Sandy L in Maryland

"Thanks for sharing."

~ Dianne in Maryland

"Ah - the makeup now is a must-do. I have kept up with clothes and old treasures. I don't know how you got rid of photos!! That's so challenging for me ... but sadly my kids won't want them. I know they won't want the good China, so I use it now more often. Life is short!"

~ Cathy C in Maryland

"Love this - and so true. One positive thing about moving across the country ... you clean out everything ... and I'm happier for it!!"

~ Donna D in California

"I agree ... when you are ready, you are READY."

~ Dayle in Maryland

"Loved reading it! Been purging for awhile now, giving or throwing it away, and enjoying open, clean, and clear spaces more and more!"

~ Bernadette in Maryland

"Must say this one is so true. Our community had a Clean Up Day and since going on my health plan to lose weight, I had 10+ bags of clothing, shoes, etc. to get rid of: either too big or something I didn't want to wear even if it fit. It feels great to fit my little bit smaller body with new stuff. My closet was empty for the first time since we moved and I'm filling it with things I wear. I also ditched my makeup (I sold a makeup brand in the '80s and still had all of it!) and getting new stuff. I'm so happy experimenting with new looks. Also, we tore down a garage that stored some stuff we haven't used since we moved and lots of my mom and dad's stuff. That's still hard to go through and emotionally I can only do so much, but once it's gone, I feel so relieved to have space open. And yes, my kids don't want mine or my mom's China, crystal, knickknacks, etc. I'm keeping only a few and none from the dollar store. I am decorating with plants now."

~ Karan A in Maryland

"SNIPPETS was perfect timing as I was cleaning and organizing as many closets and rooms as possible last weekend!"

~ Mary Kim in Maryland

"It must be the time of the year to do this. I went through our CDs and over half of them are ready to be donated. I do wonder if anyone would want them since most people now just say, Alexis ... play [whatever song]. Funny you should mention photos, they are next on my list. As for clothes, I am trying to accept the fact that the size I am now, is the one I'm going to stay!! Good advice from your SNIPPETS, as always."

~ Joanne in New York

"I found a great place to donate non-clothing items - New Life Furniture Warehouse (Timonium Commerce Park, 9520 Deerco Road, Building A, Timonium Maryland). They give everything away to individuals and families moving from homelessness into housing. No money changes hands and people who really need the items get them."

~ Connie in Maryland