Yesterday was the start of Lent. Since most calendars have decided not to advertise Ash Wednesday, including the ones on my iPhone, I had no idea until something was mentioned on the radio on the way to work. I have given up something every year since I was 10, and knowing the Lenten season was coming had already decided that I would give up complaining until Easter. Sadly I failed the first morning due to lack of knowledge and prepared mindset.
I really hate complaining, but for some reason I do it anyway. One of the most embarrassing moments I have ever experienced was when I was living in Atlanta. A mutual friend of my roommate and mine was asking about my current rotation in my residency program. After discussing it for a few minutes she asked if my next rotation would be easier and I said no and gave a small explanation. After I made it to my room and shut the door I overheard my roommate talk about how stupid I was (she wasn’t not the nicest of people) and that the rotation was not difficult. It was a horrible moment, but what was worse was the fact that I didn’t view the rotations as difficult or even that stressful, I had used complaining as a form of conversation. I then realized it was something I had been unconsciously doing for years!
Although it was an awful way to discover one of my faults, I am so appreciative it was brought to my attention so I could fix it. That was five years ago and I’m still working on my complaining. I no longer use complaints for sources of conversation, but I do tend to “vent” when it is not always necessary and I definitely do more than my share when spilling aggravations. I decided this Lent would be a good time to kick the habit for good. After all God gave me an amazing life and I should relish that, not focus on the small negatives in my way. I can’t wait to improve.
Until next time,
Kaycee
P.S. My favorite song today is Mean To Me by Brett Eldredge