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#WednesdayWisdom
"Release anything that no longer feels good for your soul to carry." — Lalah Delia
Morning Musings
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian church. I'm not Catholic, but having gone to Catholic school from kindergarten through college, I've picked up a thing or two — including the habit of giving up something for 40 days in preparation for Easter.
When I was younger, it was popular to give up material things like candy or video games. As I've gotten older, I've given up social media and alcohol. In recent years, I've taken to doing something in lieu of giving up something (reading a 40-day devotional or, last year, completing The Purpose Driven Life).
This year, I'm giving up complaining. Quite frankly, I'm tired of my own b.s. and I don't like the way complaining makes me feel — angry, frustrated, bitter, exhausted. Don't get me wrong, I love a good rant every now and then, but when so much of your time and energy is directed toward what you don't like about a particular situation, there's less energy to devote toward what (and who) you do love.
So I'm challenging myself to channel gratitude when I feel like complaining. And this isn't about toxic positivity because believe me, we're all going through a LOT right now.
As Jen Sincero writes in her new book Badass Habits, it’s helpful to replace a negative habit with a positive habit. Because I'm prone to feeling overwhelmed when making big life shifts, I'm starting with a small, specific goal — for the next 40 days, I'm committing to not complaining about the noise from my upstairs neighbor.
My plan is to substitute complaining with a moment of gratitude. For example, I’m grateful to be alive; I’m grateful that I can hear; I’m grateful to have a home.
I know change won't happen overnight, but I'm looking forward to feeling more positive and less grumpy. And who knows, perhaps not complaining about this one section of my life will trickle down into others aspect and make for a more mindful L'Oreal all around (a girl can hope!).
I'm sharing this here so that you'll hold me accountable and perhaps join me on this 40-day #NoComplainingChallenge. Yes, it will be hard. And yes, we'll slip up occasionally. But I believe we're bigger and better than our bad habits. Don't you agree?
Love,
L'Oreal
P.s. For additional reading, check out an excerpt from Badass Habits on the Shine App.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 17 (TODAY at 12 pm CT): Creating Your Journalism Backup Plan. I'm teaming up with Wudan Yan and Jenni Gritters of The Writer's Co-op for a panel about switching out of journalism. I'll be sharing how I parlayed my newsroom skills into a successful career in nonprofit PR.
Feb. 27: How to Land a Literary Agent. I'm hosting a masterclass for Permission to Write, an online community for Black writers and writers of color, all about the process of finding, vetting and signing with a literary agent.
Links I Love
1. Dedicated to My Natural Hair. I've been following Girls Write Now for a while now and this poem by one of their mentees, Jayola Reid, stopped me mid-scroll. If only I'd had her confidence at that age! (Girls Write Now)
2. 'Should I Leave My Good Job to Pursue My Artistic Dreams?' Judging by my recent career change, you already know my answer to this question is a resounding YES! (The Cut)
3. For Toni Morrison With Love From #blkcreatives. Y'all already know how I feel about Toni, and this reminder that racism is a distraction is always timely. (#blkcreatves)
My Latest Obsession
My mother-in-law gives some of the best gifts and this planter from Rooted in Black featuring some of my favorite Black women writers is no different. Now if I could just work on keeping our plant babies alive...
Now Hiring
Digital Content Coordinator for The Olympic Channel
Neighborhood Reporter (Englewood, Chatham & Auburn Gresham) for Block Club Chicago
Director, Business & Account for SOCIALDEVIANT
Assistant to the Director for Posse Chicago
Strategist for Mission Minded
Graphic Designer for Interfaith Youth Core
Programming Coordinator for the Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center
Thank You!
Thank you to Carli, Rebecca, Martice, Blair, Stephanie, Lindsey, Jill and Camesha for buying last week's coffee! I appreciate your support and generosity.
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