Balance Tip Day 10: Complaining is like wiping your life glasses with a dirty rag. Now that doesn't mean it isn't important to vent...because if we don't release the negative energy it festers into an infection of the heart, which becomes brittle and breaks often. Jumping, stomping and silent screaming in private helps keep my days fasting on track. --From 52 Card Pick (Me) Ups:Stacking the Deck with Dr. Marissa ( Now Available, see Page :)

This is it...make no mistake where you are --Kenny Loggins Congratulations, no matter what day you are on, if you are reading this, you are among the almost 700 more self-aware more interpersonally efffective people on this fabulous planet who are creating a healthy non-complaining habit. The side-effects of losing negative weight and gaining a svelteness in smiles and lightness in spirit are yours to keep.  

We will be starting Round 6 December 1st so invite your friends and co-workers and family (it's a great way to "hint" to those around you who are starting to drive you to the moon).  We have over 600 participating now between here and Facebook.  The sky's the limit :)

In the meantime, enjoy my PBnJ (Peace Blessings and Joy) sandwiches, which will come in the form of regular posts from my 52 Card Pick (Me) Up pack: Stacking the deck for Life Balance with Dr. Marissa.  For those who have been on the fast and would like to purchase their own cardpack, I will ship to you for free for the holidays.  Just select the pick-up option and email me your address.  Remember, You are Enough.  Happy Giving Thanks Day too.   

Yes, it's Day 20, Round 5 of the 21 Day Fast from Complaining. You rock. You are almost finished...so today be careful...you might want revisit one of the original Balance Tips..."Never Miss an Opportunity...to keep your mouth shut". And while you're at it...Go L$#%^&OVE YOURSELF :)  I love how this practice of not complaining is getting to be a good habit ;)

When poop happens in my life and I am tempted to complain, I remember this wise saying...Instead of telling God about my big problem...I tell my problem about my Big God --from 52 Card Pick (Me) Up: Stacking the Deck for Life Balance (Released October 2011)

My Train of Thought...when I wake up, my ego wants me to board the train that is afraid of what bad things might happen, who has done me wrong, who might be doing me wrong, and what i haven't done perfectly and COMPLAIN. I can choose to move my ego into the passenger seat, or just get off that train all together, and board the one on the other side of the tracks...My Freed...om Train gently guides my mind to focus on the things that are good, beautiful and working in my life, that all my needs are met, that i have a roof over my head, food on the table, love in my life, and that no matter what CNN (Constantly Negative News and Olds) says, the Universe wants me to be happy joyous and free.

Eating a complaint leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Rinsing with gratitude or a compliment restores my kiss-ability.  Today's challenge, give 8 people a compliment today, said with a smile counts as a bonus, said with sincerity counts as 2 ;)

When I complain, it says that something or someone is not enough, not good enough, bad, wrong, a problem...sometimes this comes from a deep-seeded lie that we carry through life that somehow we are not good enough in and of ourselves...we are all born with a spiritual birthright to wholeness, harmony love joy and peace....claim it today...i am enough and so are you :)

I want to make a positive difference in this lifetime for myself and others. Not complaining is a giant step in that direction. I want to be remembered as a positive presence on the planet. Not complaining is paying attention and paying intention towards that end. "To matter" is an amazing feeling that starts within yourself. Peace and blessings to all 688 like-minded and love-hearted individuals who have publicly chosen to fast...even if it's slow ;p

Step Away From the Device...

When things start feeling strained, difficult, pushed; like an insistent busy signal on calls, computer crashing, miss-understandings, intent doesn't equal impact...it is a SIGNAL to me to STEP AWAY FROM THE DEVICE.  If I've been writing an email and am feeling off center, I hit SAVE DRAFT and know that I Can Start the Day Over Again...as many times as I need to.  If that doesn't work, I default to "Never Miss An Opportunity...to Keep My Mouth Shut!"  Especially since I am not fond of apologizing. --from the 52 Pick (Me) Up: Stacking the Deck for Life Balance with Dr. Marissa, cardpack on sale now

Balance Tip Day 13:  Today marks one month of the hardest day I had to post on this fast.  To choose not to complain when there was a tragedy in my hometown of Seal Beach, to sit with the pain without blame, that is not easy.  On days like this, I fall back into my comforter of faith, and try not to ask why, as I have been taught that Why is not a spiritual question.  I just pray for the strength to do what I can help me stay in love today, and peace so that I can be the most support to those around me that are in intimate pain with their loss.  And so it is.

I borrow from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, If there is a problem and a solution, there's nothing to worry/complain about; If there is a problem and no solution, there's nothing to worry/complain about.  Choose.  Breathe.  Smile.

Balance Tip Day 11:  Complaining is a bad habit...and research says it takes 28 days to break a bad habit and 28 days to start a new one, but since I am a recovering overachiever, I went with Edwene Gaines' 21 day fast...plus, they say that 42.7 percent of statistics are made up on the spot ;p

There are 2 documented emotions that disrupt synchronicity in the body, anger and hostility. On the other hand, creativity, love and peace are emotions that make our cells dance in harmony. --Paraphrasing Deepak Chopra's words in "The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire" So until I figure out a way to feel love and peace while complaining...I am on the fast ;) to promote good health.

Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed --Michael Pritchard. 

When people ask me why I am so positive, it's easy, it feels better when I am positive than when I am whining complaining and talkin bad bout you me and the world...and feelin good is one of my goals in this lifetime...without hurting self and others. Today is a lucky day not to complain. 8 is a homonym for 'good fortune' in Chinese.

What helps me keep a complaint from flying out of my mouth is something Dr. David Simon (an incredible inspirational co-founder of [Deepak] Chopra Center neurologist who has terminal brain tumor) taught me to practice...before I share a thought, I ask myself 3 qualifying questions..."Is it true?  Is it kind? Is it necessary?"  If the thought doesn't pass 3 musters, I breathe in, catch the thought, and release it in the outbreath with a smile. 

When I am feeling irritable, sometimes with a reason, sometimes without, especially during mean-oh-pause, I look for the good...in the situation, the person, and the location. It is very difficult to complain while smiling, complimenting or giggling. I choose to live in the silver lining ;p It feels better.  Oh, and btw, the men's counterpart to meanopause is IMS (Irritable Man Syndrome :p )

If the grass looks greener on the other side...water your own lawn ;). When I hear myself complain with envy, I make a choice to act on my own behalf...as my old therapist used to say, you don't try to pick up a pencil... you either do or don't.  It's your choice if you want to change your own landscape...but the commitment to change can only come from you, starting with your eyes on your own yard.--from 52 Card Pick (Me) Ups: Stacking the Deck for Life Balance with Dr. Marissa

Balance Tip Day 4: Anger is one letter away from DAnger. As easy as it is to be quick to anger, know this: Dr. Deepak Chopra writes that medical research has validated that there are 2 emotions that disrupt the harmonious function of our cells; Anger and Hostility. On the other hand, there are 3 emotions that encourage our bodies to sing in perfect harmony inside; Love, Peace and Creativity. You choose.

We started in July with 40 Facebookers and by the end of Round One we had a couple hundred.  

Never miss an opportunity...to keep your mouth shut.