Me & My Quite Contrary Life

NUDGED: "Notice something" BACKSTORY: How much am I missing out on when I am busy and don't stop to notice? In my busyness, I get really focused on completing tasks that I forget to see. I don't notice changes around me. It will be good his week to look a little longer and see what I have been missing. QUOTE: "An unobserved life often leads to an ungrateful life." - Tom Berlin in "Reckless Love" HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: This nudge was a challenge as there was so much for me to notice! I felt extra-aware of my surroundings this week and noticed things for the first time: Neighbors painted their house from blue to gray, which we noticed while on a walk with the dog.  I noticed how I looked and felt as I tried on a pile of new-to-me clothes.  I saw how much stuff I have, from items for hobbies to toilet paper (ha!), and realized I have enough. I do not need to go purchase additional items in the event of a quarantine.   I noticed grammar m...

NUDGED:  "No complaining for 5 days" BACKSTORY: I read the book "A Complaint Free World" by Will Bowen and was really convicted by how much complaining negatively affects our world. Bowen states in the book,"We are obsessed with what is wrong. We complain about anything and everything, and as a result we keep focusing on our problems. Contrary to popular belief, complaining does not lead to solving our problems. Rather it concretizes our challenges and justifies our inaction in doing anything to make things better." The book opened my eyes (and ears!) to how much negativity and complaining happens every day, especially statements that come out of my mouth. I worked on the author's challenge of having 21 consecutive days without complaining to live a happier life, but never made it more than a few days at a time (so hard!!). This nudge was yet another opportunity for me to try: no complaining for 5 days (Monday-Friday)!  QUOTE:  "If you don...