The art of NOT complaining

When I got up this morning, I had almost two hours before I had to "do" anything! That meant two free hours of sewing. I was beside myself—where would I even begin? 

On the days I go to the gym, I lose those two hours, and when I have a deadline, I must work on the deadline items in those two hours. Today, there was nothing, although I still have writing to do, and I'll focus on that later today. 

So I dug out my older sewing machine and dedicated a spot to sewing only. And I sewed! My design wall is just to the right, so I was able to sit on my little stool, grab the blocks from the design wall, and sew!

Glorious sewing!

My headphones seem to have completely died, so I listened to my audiobook on a speaker, which is OK but not my favorite. I may be getting new headphones soon, or I'll try my earbuds. They don't work well as microphones, but listening should be OK. There must be some interference with all that electronic equipment that causes my microphones to bug out. I don't have time or the inclination to solve it, so I use the computer mic, and it works for me. 

I was torn—should I work on bindings? I have a number of quilts and placemats that need binding. Or should I work on my UFO? Or what about my Many Blocks project? I settled on my UFO, and as ender/leader, I'm sewing the Many Blocks. All is good, and it was nice to just putter and not have to stress.

Trust me - there are a few other "urgent" projects, but I can put them off for a day or two. Some of my personal stuff is also "urgent" to me. I need time to do both. Hopefully, this month will be a tad quieter so I can steal a few moments here and there to make that happen. 

If you wonder how I'm making out on the magazines on the floor, this is the current status. 

Remaining magazines to deal with

A few piles are gone! Here's what happened. 

Subconscious: What's this? What are these magazines?

    Me: That's Mike Holmes. He's the best! 

Holmes on Homes magazines

Subconscious: You watched his TV show many years ago—more than 15, just for the record. 

    Me: Yes - I loved his show

Subconscious: And did you ever take on any of his projects?

    Me: No

Subconscious: Did you ever read any of these magazines? 

    Me: No

Subconscious: And why is that?

    Me: I didn't have time

Subconscious: Let's face it—if you need to do a renovation, are you going to read a 10-year-old Holmes magazine?

    Me: Well, no. 

Subconscious: So what are you going to do? 

    Me: I could browse them to see if there is something in there I want to learn. 

Subconscious: Did you know building codes, ideas, and trends change?

    Me: I know. Stop it - you're bullying me! 

Subconscious: This is not bullying, this is reality! 

    Me: OK - I hear you! 

Subconscious: Think about it - which would you rather? Read 10 - 15-year-old magazines or sew a 15-year-old project. 

    Me: OK -- you got me!

Subconscious: So what are you going to do? 

    Me: I will toss them without reading them.

Subconscious: I'll be watching! 

After that little discussion, the magazines are in the recycling bin waiting for pickup later today. A few other stacks got the same fate. 

I have to be realistic—this is a 2010 Travel Guide to Canada. I think it will be a bit dated, and if I want anything, I can go to the internet. 

A dated Travel Guide

And you know the magazine is dated from when there was a survey where you could win an iPod. Do they even make those anymore? 

Hmm - a bit dated

The rest will likely suffer the same fate, but I have to do it my way, and that works for me. I rescued a couple that I want to browse a bit, and then they will go. 

But I uncovered this little gem of an article about complaining. Did you know that complaining (and negative vibes) are extremely bad for your health? Oh yes, I knew that, but I love getting confirmation of it! 

Complaining is bad for your health

Here's what the article says: When we complain, our bodies release cortisol, which is a stress hormone. High levels of that in our body can lead to compromised immune systems, higher blood pressure, weight gain, and increased heart disease. If that isn't enough, here's what else it can do. It can harm the GOOD parts of our brain - the ones that deal with cognitive functions and problem-solving! 

Whoa—if that can happen, we do NOT want any of that negativity around. I must save my brain—well, not save it for a later date, but protect it so I'll be sane at a later date and can still ask questions! 

Listening to others complain can be just as bad as if you were doing it yourself. 

The first step to getting over complaining is to track how many times you complain! Wow, I wonder how many times a day I whine about something. A lot! 

I should learn to think mostly on the positive side, and I do for a good part of things. Which brings to mind what the rest of my day is going to look like. I have to take my MIL to the hospital for a four-hour appointment today. Yippeee!!!!! I'll take something to do in the downtime while we are waiting. Bonus time, and maybe I'll just read a book!

Instead of just complaining, you should try to find a solution, and I agree with that 100%. There is no sense in complaining if you're not willing to do anything to solve the problem. It's incredible how many people can continually find the negative side of anything, even when many positive solutions exist! 

I had to chuckle when they said to write about the things that bother you in a journal. OK, so I blog about those things all the time. Perhaps that's what makes me feel so good!

The articles also stated that if something happens, instead of dwelling on the negative, figure out how you can learn from it and move on! I'm all about that! 

Last, don't spend time with negative people. Their bad vibes can roll off on you, and that's not good! I'm 1000% in agreement on that one. The problem is that most negative people aren't self-aware! 

One of the worst things is when you meet someone or just start a conversation and ask how they are. Fifteen minutes later, they are still spewing verbal diarrhea, and you haven't even had a chance to say one word. People, be SELF-AWARE. I don't care about your problems, or at least allow me to empathize with you. It drives me crazy! 

A conversation with anyone is a TWO-WAY street. They ask about you, you ask about them! It's simple. Otherwise, the person you are spewing to? They will NOT ask again, and will avoid you! 

I had a great workout at spin class yesterday. I don't know if it's the strength training, the stretching, or just a mental note to get better, but I can crank out more KM than I've been able to in a long, long time. I can still feel twinges in my back/leg, and I must call the doctor for the results of the MRI, which was done a month ago. But overall? I'm doing amazing. That horrific pain was a wake-up call, and I answered it, and I'm going to keep it at bay! There will be NO complaining from me about my health unless I'm prepared to do something about it - if I can!! 

This is Miss Murphy in the forest. She has taken to moving sticks. She grabbed a big one but didn't carry it too far. 

MOM - I found a stick! 

And the trilliums are in bloom! 

Trilliums in the forest

Speaking of Murphy, I was on several Zoom calls yesterday and looked over my computer and saw this. 

Despite the fact that there are several rugs on the floor for her to nap on, she has picked my quilted bedspread to sleep on. YES—I'm supposed to make a jacket from that! 

Mom - this is so cozy

What was hilarious is that when she got tired of sleeping on one side, she moved over to sleep on the other! 

Mom - I have to sleep evenly!

And she doesn't try to unroll it or move as she does with her dog bed blankets upstairs. It's only to rest her weary head! 

Mom - my head is very comfy

That is where I found her this morning! What a silly girl! I'll make the jacket, and I can always wash it. 

Well, it's time to start the day - part two of the day! It's incredible how little junky things can pile up on my desktop, so I scooped some of the bigger stuff off and I'll deal with these little things later today. That's my downfall - little crappy stuff --- how to get rid of it. I know - daily and one piece at a time! 

And on that HAPPY note - I'm out of here!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!