The 1 Year Challenge: Beware of the Me-Monster

"So Tuesday is good, right?" a friend asked me with inquiring eyes. I returned it with a look of confusion searching my mind to see if some tidbit of information had slipped my mind. After a moment of silence and deep soul searching, I asked "What's Tuesday night?" "You're coming over to our house!" she answered wondering why I didn't know. "Well, that's the first I've heard of that." I replied. Come to find out my friend and her family invited us over to their house on New Years Eve. Apparently my two brothers, my parents, and my sister-in-law all knew of this information and somehow this invitation had escaped my grasp. Slightly annoyed, I responded, "Sure I'll be over there. Thanks for telling me." In my mind, I was planning to have a discussion later with my mom on why the message was not passed on to me. Later, with an attitude that reeked of selfishness, I asked my mom why she didn't tell me about the get together. She responded she had and an argument ensued. I said she didn't and she said she did. I walked away from the argument annoyed and frustrated. Then it hit me, "Christa" , that little voice in my head called my conscience said, "You were being totally selfish." "I was not" I argued with myself. (Yes I do this all the time.) As the words came forth from my mouth, I realized that my conscience was right. How many times did I mention me? Why didn't my mom tell ME? Why did everyone else find out before ME? I started to reflect on the past few days and realized I had turned into a selfish little girl who wanted to get her own way. How many times had I mentioned the word me? Like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, I had thrown one. Albeit I didn't throw myself on the floor kicking and screaming with every fiber in my body, I still had an inner tantrum. Who cares if my mom did or didn't tell me? The point is irrelevant now. I could have handled it better and I should have. I went back and apologized to my mom for my selfishness and attitude. She was very understanding and granted me forgiveness. This whole episode wouldn't leave my mind and I made a mental note to correct the error of my ways. It wouldn't be an easy task.

The me-monster had been given free reign in my life to do what it wished. It could buy what it wished, watch what it wished, read what it wished, and say what it wished. Other monsters called Jealousy, Envy, Greed, and Bitterness had joined the ranks and dominated my life. I had to take control and conquer the monsters. I asked myself if I had one year to live would I spend it arguing with my mom or family or friends over stupid petty things that I won't care about in an hour much less a day? The answer was a quick and sure no. I would spend it doing things for others. For after all, the memories wouldn't be for me they would be for my family and those that I love dearly. Those memories that can never be bought or sold. The moments in time that cannot be repeated. I can never take back the words and the attitude that I had but I can change. The change started today. Instead of thinking how tired I was from working, I made dinner because my mom was tired. Instead of griping on how much stuff I needed to do, I cleaned up after dinner because I was able to. Granted, I'm not going to be perfect but I am going to make a concentrated effort to control the me-monster in my life.

Are you having trouble controlling the me-monster? Start doing something once a day for others even if it is just opening the door for someone. You'll find the gratification is intoxicating! Look for specific things that you can do such as paying for the person behind you in the drive through's order, letting the person who has one item in front of you in the checkout line, crack a joke and make someone laugh, help someone clean up a mess even if you didn't cause it, or leave an encouraging card/note on a co-worker's desk. There are so many things that you can do. Start taking control of your me-monster, you'll be better off for it.

Until next time,

Be Happy Today
Always Sing in the Rain

Christa

P.S. The vlog will up tomorrow night!!! Will you be ready?

The 1 Year Challenge

Hey Everyone! Long time no talk...I've decided to get back into things. I want to say before this post that I have not been diagnosed with any fatal disease, received a vision from heaven, or think about ending my precious life. This challenge was placed on my heart and is intended to help me (and others) change for the better. On with the post!

The lyrcis of Tim McGraw's song Live Like You Were Dying played over and over in my head that morning as I sat at my work cubicle stunned at the information I had received. A lady, only 9 years older than me, had passed away. I was in charge of making sure everything was settled and the proper steps were taken to rectify any loose ends. I had never thought this was something that could happen to me. I know we are not promised tomorrow but when you are young death is the furthest thing from your mind. I wondered what I would do if I was told that I would die a year for now. What steps would I take? How would I live my life? What would I do? I began to ponder on this and decided to challenge myself to live the year of 2014 like my last. I did not want to leave any regrets or I should haves or I wish I would'ves. I came up with a list of things that I have always wanted to do but because of my procrastination and excuses I've made up in my head, I haven't done them. During this year, my goal is to complete everything on my list that I would want to do before I die. It's a little different than a bucket list of places I want to go, people I'd like to meet, etc. but more of things that I should do. My list is as follows:

• Maintain an active vlog and blog.
• This will be good for you guys!
• Write out a will
• Write letters to my inspirations
• Music, Life, etc.
• Arrange a piece of music from scratch
• Learn Jarrod Radnich's Little Drummer Boy piano arrangement
• Become debt free
• I wouldn't want to leave my family with expenses to cover
• Lose weight
• This is a weirder one but I don't want to be remembered as the fat girl.
• Make a Final Goodbye Video to those I love
• Volunteer time at a Charity such as a Homeless Shelter, Children's Hospital, or Ronald McDonald house.
• Spend more time with my family and friends.
• Make many memories and take a lot of pictures

There are other things I would want to do: Watch what I say, watch how I act, be more open, be more willing, etc but I think that would go without saying. I'm hoping that this challenge changes me for the better and I hope that you all will come with me on this challenge. Even if it is doing just one thing that you have been putting off because you don't have enough education or you'll do it when you have time or you don't have enough funds. Just do it! Stop making excuses and change.

Today I have changed. I have made this blog ACTIVE and as of the video seen below, my vlog is now ACTIVE! Now I just have to maintain it.

Vlog #2

P.S. I'll talk later next time!

See you next time!

Remember to Be Happy Being Single

Always Sing in the Rain

Christa