Ever feel like you aren’t being as good as you can be? Want to be better? There are all kinds of challenges out there so why not challenge ourselves to be a better person. Starting tomorrow, for the next 21 days I am going to make a conscious effort to be a better person. Try it with me.
Day 1 – Compliment Yourself – It has always been hard for me to accept compliments from others. I never know what to say when someone says something nice to me so I usually just find a way to give credit to someone or something else. Try complimenting yourself today. Make a list of all the good things about you and then go back and read it out loud to yourself.
Day 2 – Compliment a stranger – So now that you’ve seen how good it feels to compliment yourself, try complementing a stranger. We have all walked past someone or sat next to someone and thought, I love her hair or what a nice smile…don’t suppress that thought..go ahead and say it out loud. You could even leave a positive or encouraging comment on a blog. (hint hint)
Day 3 – Spend time with God at the beginning of your day and again at the end – Take a few minutes while you’re drinking your coffee to talk to God. Let Him know where you need Him most in your day. When it’s time for bed, don’t forget to spend some time thanking Him.
Day 4 – Focus on life’s blessings – It is so easy to focus on the negative things in our life or on what we don’t have, but wouldn’t it feel better to focus on something more positive? Try spending the day focusing on only the blessings you have in your life. Focusing on the blessings should make it easier to accept the things you don’t have.
Day 5 – Stay away from social media for 24 hours – You can do it! Social media can take up a lot of your time and energy. See if you have more motivation once you’ve spent a few hours away from it.
Day 6 – Use them manners you’re momma taught ya – Put your phone down and notice those around you. Don’t forget your please and thank you’s. Hold the door open for someone, let an elderly person or a mother have your seat (unless you are elderly or a mother).
Day 7 – Sing out loud in your car – Sing like no one can hear you. Just let the music get into your soul and belt it out like Carrie Underwood. Shake your head, clap your hands or play the drums on your steering wheel too. It really doesn’t matter who sees you. If it puts a smile on their face you get a bonus win for the day!
Day 8 – Do something nice for someone but keep it a secret – We should all show kindness
without needing praise from others. Find a way to do something nice for someone without posting it on social media or sharing with your friends. Always be kind and humble.
Day 9 – Don’t complain/stop all negative talk – Can you spend a whole day without complaining about something? You probably don’t even realize how much you complain so this could be an eye-opening exercise.
Day 10 – Get out of your comfort zone and do something you wouldn’t normally do – Go to a restaurant or a movie by yourself. Start a conversation with a stranger, go skydiving.
Day 11 – Just breathe – Give yourself 30 minutes of you time to take a bubble bath with candles and some soothing music. Leave the phone in the other room (unless that’s how you listen to music – but ignore all notifications or calls). If you don’t like candles and music, read a book…a real book, not one from an app on your phone.
Day 12 – Volunteer – take sometime today to volunteer to at a local charity. Find a cause that’s important to you and give your time.
Day 13 – Tip your server generously – Most people don’t realize that servers don’t make minimum wage…not even close. Instead of 15-20%, give a big tip the next time you go out to eat. You will make their day.
Day 14 – Take a walk – Go for a walk. It doesn’t have to be a long walk and you don’t have to walk fast. Just spend some quality time with yourself and reflect.
Day 15 – Don’t judge – Do you find yourself people watching and pointing out someone else’s faults? Don’t do that today. Also, don’t judge those you know. It is not for us to judge, that task is saved for God.
Day 16 – Do something you love – Dance to your favorite song, read a book, cook your favorite recipe, go shopping, or go for a picnic with your best friend. Find something you love but haven’t done in a while and commit the time to do it.
Day 17 – Find a bible verse or quote that encourages you – Memorize it and share with someone else.
Day 18 – Send a note of encouragement to someone you know – We never know what battle someone is fighting so your words may be what makes all the difference.
Day 19 – Write a goodbye letter to something you need to get rid of – We are all carrying things or people around with us that have a negative influence in our lives. Take out the trash today and write a goodbye letter. You don’t have to show anyone the letter, but by putting the words on paper, it gives you more power and a better chance of letting it go.
Day 20 – Avoid Procrastination – Take out that to-do list and take care of those things you have been putting off.
Day 21 – Smile more – Smiling is infectious. It also
makes people suspicious. Either way, you win so make a conscious effort to smile more today.
My hope is that in 21 days, I won’t have to make such a conscious effort to be better, I will learn to treat myself and others with more kindness.
Be on the lookout for upcoming posts on my progress.