Blog Archives - The Remarkable Blog

So it's New Years Eve.

12/31/2019

What will you write on your blank page for 2020? Or is it filled with Goals, Prayers, and Projects? We hit at what we are aiming for. What are you aiming for in 2020?

Psalm 96: 1-3
At the dawn of the new year I'm filled with hope for what is to come, and I have thankfulness in my heart for what has already passed. I pray that I will keep my focus where it needs to be this year and that we'll all have a year filled with joy, love and happiness.

ACTION STEP: If you are in the area and would like to join us praying in the New Year we would love to have you. Here is our address link and we begin at 10PM and end with breakfast at 12 AM. Your children are welcome to wear their PJ's and watch movies and have snack in the children's church area of our building.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//39.712559,-80.0517132/@39.712559,-80.051713,16z?hl=en-US

Wherever you may be find time to pray about the next 365 days of your life and what God would have you to do with them.

Pray for the Peace of Israel and the Jewish people

12/30/2019

Today, I'd like to share an update letter from my friends that live in Israel. Since my recent trip there, everything about this nation has deeper meaning to me. Simcha explains Christmas the the jewish people and has shared with us a little portion of this teaching in his monthly update to us. I attached it at the bottom and pray it blesses you as it has blessed me.

As we close this year and ready ourselves for the new year, remember the Hebrew year is "Pey." This is the year to say! I believe it is a year to declare a thing and it will come to pass. Say what you want. Pray what you want. Say and pray the will and word of God into the earth and see what God will do. Our words carry weight.

If you live in the area I invite you to our New Year's Eve service from 10 PM to 12 AM on January 31, 2019, as 23 pray in the new year. Afterwards we celebrate with a light breakfast together. We will also be fasting January 2-23, 2020 from 6PM to 6PM. We once again have fasting journals available. Remember "Be Complaint Free."

Most Jews in Israel and around the world reject the idea that Christmas is a Jewish holiday. As far as they are concerned, Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of someone they don’t believe to be the Messiah and is in direct opposition to their Jewish faith. Many Holocaust survivors claim Hitler and the Nazis were Christians and that the Christian church is anti-Semitic; that in the name of Jesus the Church persecuted Jews as “Christ-killers.”

Even many non-Jews around the world who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas day do not realize that He is the Messiah of Israel, as well as the Savior of the world. The prophet Isaiah made this Messianic prophecy to Israel about the Jewish Messiah, Who also fulfilled the promise God gave to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that through Him all nations would be blessed. Therefore, the prophecies of Messiah’s coming, His sacrifice for humanity, His resurrection and return to earth apply to Israel as well as to all nations.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; dominion will rest on His shoulders, and He will be given the name Pele-Yo‘etz (wonderful counselor), El Gibbor (mighty God), Avi-‘Ad (everlasting Father), Sar-Shalom (Prince of Peace)”. Isaiah 9:6

The world celebrates Christmas with cheers, decorated evergreen trees, flickering lights, manger scenes and baby Jesus, all the while unaware of its Jewish roots. That the story took place in Israel with Israelites and angels who spoke Hebrew seems far away. But the fact is that Mary was Miriam, Joseph was Yoseph and Jesus was Yeshua – all Hebrew names. Yeshua was born in Beth Lehem (the house of bread in Hebrew) fulfilling the Hebrew prophet Micah’s words as recorded in Micah chapter 5:1 “But you, Beth Lehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting days.”

The story of Christmas starts with God’s angel appearing to the priest Zecharya (Zechariah in English which means God remembers in Hebrew) who was chosen by lot to enter the Temple of the God of Israel for the incense offering (Luke 1:9-11). This was in accordance with the law God gave to Moses for the priests from the tribe of Levi. Exodus 30:7-8: “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.”  The angel announced to Zecharya that his barren wife Elisheva (Elizabeth means in Hebrew my God promises) would bear him a child to fulfill the prophecy of Malachi 4 to “go as a forerunner before Him (the Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children” (Luke 1:16-17). His name would be Yohanan, meaning God pardons (known as John the Baptist in English.)

A short time later the angel Gavriel (Gabriel, means God is my strength) appeared to Miriam, announcing that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit of God. Miriam was a young Jewish virgin from the Jewish village of Natzeret, Israel, engaged to a Jewish man, Yoseph, of the house of David. The angel Gavriel told her (in Hebrew) “Do not be afraid, Miriam; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Yeshua (meaning Salvation in Hebrew.) (Jesus is the English letters of the name Yeshua.) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and God will give Him the throne of His father David (the Jewish king.) And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:26-33).

It is no coincidence that the Savior of the world would have a Hebrew name and would be born of a Jewish mother in a Jewish town near Jerusalem, the Jewish capital. He is Emmanuel (God with us in Hebrew) Who will sit on King David’s throne forever and rule from Jerusalem. All nations will come to hear the Word of the Lord from Zion (Jerusalem). (Isaiah 2.)

When Yoseph (Joseph) learned Miriam was pregnant, he feared she had been unfaithful to him. As a righteous man, he didn’t want to expose Miriam to public disgrace and planned to divorce her in secret. But the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said (in Hebrew), “Yoseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miriam as your wife because what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Yeshua (meaning Salvation) because he Yoshia (will save) his people (Israel) from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'  (which means in Hebrew, God with us.) Matthew 1:18-25. Only in Hebrew does it make sense that His name Yeshua - Salvation in Hebrew - has the root word for what He will do: – He will save, Yoshia. Even the word Christmas itself comes from the word Christ, which is a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah, a totally original Jewish concept.

We present this holiday to our Jewish people in this Jewish setting with Jewish characters, saying that Yeshua is our Jewish Messiah, as well as the Savior of the world and that he didn’t come to start a new religion. As a matter of fact, Yeshua was against man-made religions as well as men’s traditions.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our Jewish friends, family, and neighbors to see that Christmas celebrates the birth of our Jewish Messiah Who came to the world in Israel.

From the first verses in the New Testament, we see how Jewish it is. "This is the genealogy Yeshua the Messiah (a Hebrew word), the son of David, the son of Abraham" (the father of the Jewish nation). Yeshua’s birth and incarnation were prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, written in Hebrew, by Hebrew prophets. Yeshua's Jewish parents took him to the Jewish Holy Temple when He was eight days old to be circumcised; how much more Jewish can you get?
We wish you Mary Christmas and Happy Hanukka. We love and appreciate you very much and we want to hear from you. We welcome any comment, questions, and prayer requests. We appreciate your love and prayers for Israel and your stand with our ministry for the salvation of Israel and the nations.

   In His love,
   Simcha and Bella Davidov, Ashdod, Israel

Have we had enough of the holidays.

12/27/2019

Once Christmas was over I thought that was the end of the holidays. Then, I learned about Boxing Day. So, that got me thinking about other holidays. If you are as curious as I am, today is another holiday. Today, Friday December 27th is National Fruitcake Day. Yep, it's a real day. I personally don't care for Fruitcake but it's a fave of many.

Across the United States, fruitcake lovers young and old, commemorate National Fruitcake Day each year on December 27th.

Made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts, and spices and sometimes soaked in spirits, fruitcake has been a holiday gift-giving tradition for many years.

Dating back to ancient Rome, one of the earliest known recipes lists pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins mixed into barley mash. Records indicate that in the Middle Ages, makers added honey, spices, and preserved fruits. Recipes for fruitcakes vary from country to country, depending on available ingredients and tradition.

In the 16th century, two achievements crystallized to make fruitcakes more affordable and accessible. First, sugar from the American Colonies became abundant. Second, it was discovered that high concentrations of sugar could preserve fruits. These two actions resulted in excess candied fruit. Consequently, fruitcake making grew.

Typically, Americans produce fruitcakes abundant in fruit and nuts
In America, mail-order fruitcake began in 1913.
Charities often sell commercial fruitcakes from catalogs as a fundraising event.
In 1935, the expression “nutty as a fruitcake” was coined. The phrase came about as a result of excess nuts some Southern bakeries added to their fruitcakes due to their access to cheap nuts.
Most mass-produced fruitcakes in America are alcohol-free.
Some traditional recipes include liqueurs or brandy. Bakers then complete the fruitcake by covering it with powdered sugar.
Some fruitcake makers soaked their fruitcakes in brandy-soak linens believing the cakes improve with age.

ACTION STEP: HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFruitcakeDayShare a fruitcake story or recipe. Or maybe share both. Invite someone to enjoy some fruitcake with you. No matter how you celebrate, use #NationalFruitcakeDay to post on social media.

Authors comments: It's interesting to me we as the created, we have so many traditions that have nothing to do with our creator. Even as I was writing this I realized He is our preserver. Without His presence in our life we rot and lose our fruitfulness. No matter what the holiday may be we can find the H O L Y inside the HOLidaY. God bless you today, in however you spend your #NationalFruitcakeDay.

Happy Boxing Day.

12/26/2019

What is the point of Boxing Day?
The name is a reference to holiday gifts.
A 'Christmas Box' in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a 'Christmas Box' from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give 'Christmas Boxes' to their families.

For starters, no, Boxing Day isn’t when Manny Pacquiao takes on yet another opponent in the ring (although that results in an instant holiday for most people, Christmastime or not).
The 26th of December actually has its origins in a much more noble (and less painful) practice. It is said to have begun in England during the Middle Ages, when the servants of wealthy families had to work on Christmas Day. (Come on, did you think those princes and princesses cooked their own Noche Buena? Of course not.)

To make up for it, the said servants were given the day off the morning after to visit their families and to celebrate Christmas as they wished. Before they left on their respective outings, each servant would receive from their master a box containing gifts, bonuses, or even leftover food from the previous night’s feast. In some variations, these Christmas boxes also referred to the ones that tradespeople would collect from their clients on the first working day after the holiday in gratitude for their services throughout the year.
In another variation of the origin story, Boxing Day refers to the boxes placed inside the churches to collect money for the poor. These donation boxes are then opened the day after Christmas and distributed among the less fortunate. (Another spin on the tale has a sealed box onboard sailing ships for good luck. If the ship was lucky enough to complete their voyage safely, the box was given to a priest, who would then open it up at Christmas so that the contents could be given to the poor.)

Today, Boxing Day is celebrated with family and friends, and the first working day after Christmas is considered a bank holiday. These parties are usually open gatherings with food, friendship, and familial love in abundance. Boxing Day feasts are also great for repurposing leftovers from Christmas dinner. Slices of roasted turkey or baked ham are served as sandwiches or as a complete meal with vegetables, gravy, and stuffing.
So, why does Australia celebrate Boxing Day while we don’t? The answer’s quite simple: the practice originated in the United Kingdom, in England particularly, so it spread throughout all its colonies. Since Australia is counted as one and continues to be part of the Commonwealth, the Boxing Day tradition naturally figured into its overall culture.

11 Fast Facts About Boxing DayBoxing Day traditionally lands on 26th December each year.
Boxing Day is celebrated all over the world, just to name a few countries that celebrate this day are: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Greenland, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
In South Africa, Boxing Day is known as “Day of Goodwill”.
In Ireland they call Boxing Day “St. Stevens Day”.
In other continental European countries, it is known as “Christmas II” or “Second Christmas Day”.
Boxing Day traditions depend on the location, however it includes shopping, giving money and gifts to the less fortunate, and a day of watching sporting events like horse racing and football.

On Boxing Day 2004 a massive earthquake created a tsunami around the Indian Ocean resulting in the deaths of over 300,000 people.
In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and UK, Boxing Day is the heaviest shopping day of the year.
Boxing Day is one of the British bank holidays recognized since 1871.
On Boxing Day in the UK, the most popular online searches for shopping are sale items.
National Candy Cane Day is celebrated 26th December every year in the United States.

ACTION STEP: Perhaps give a present to the less fortunate today. As a family start the tradition of working in a Soup Kitchen or taking items to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a Mission. Box up leftovers and take to a food pantry. Think up some ideas and share them with me. I think it's a grand idea for Holiday Comeback! Happy Boxing Day!

Merry Christmas

12/25/2019

I pray you enjoy your friends and family this Christmas.
May Christ love permeate all you do.

Here is a story about "Peace" if you need a little extra. I did not write this but it spoke to my heart and I shared it with my congregation last night. I pray it blesses you. It is by Zoe Elmore. Here is a link to the post at Proverbs 31 Ministries. I shared it yesterday too, but in case you missed it. Thanks for being who God created you to be. You are a gift.
https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2007/12/20/a-little-peace-of-christmas

A Little Peace of Christmas

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 (NIV)

When I was young, I would lie under the Christmas tree every night just before bed time watching the lights dance over the ornaments. I loved how the smell of the tree gently hung in the air of our tiny living room. My dad and I used to sing along with Bing Crosby, and my mom would let me watch as she baked baklava (our family's version of Christmas cookies). Now I'm aware that times were simpler then and I was a just child, but these traditions always seemed to usher in a peaceful holiday season for my family.

Today I'm so weary of commercialism and the fast pace of Christmas; the entire holiday season seems to come and go before I ever have time to enjoy the "reason for the season." Maybe it's just my age talking, but I'm longing to experience a little "peace" of Christmas like I used to - but making that a reality in the midst of family and work obligations seems an impossible task.

As I was pondering this dilemma, I re-read this verse in Luke and paid close attention to the word "today." That's it! The answer to my desire for a little "peace of Christmas" is in that one word. Today I will commit everything I do to my sweet Jesus. Today I'll sing every Christmas carol at the top of my voice for His glory. Today I'll honor Christ as I decorate our home by placing a nativity set in my Christmas tree. Today this nativity will serve as a reminder that He was born in order to die on a tree so that I could experience His peace not only at Christmas, but every day. Today I'll bake baklava and share it with the new neighbors as a way to extend the grace Christ has given me. Today I'll call someone who is lonely and hurting and offer my shoulder for his or her tears. Thank you Lord, for You've shown me the way to experience that little "peace of Christmas" my heart has been longing for. That peace begins today.

If you're longing to experience a little peace of Christmas but are wondering if it's possible, let me encourage you to just begin with today. Begin with a fresh commitment to fulfill all of your responsibilities and obligations for the glory of the Lord. Bake each cookie or wrap each gift as if you were presenting it to your sweet Jesus personally. Sing every song you hear on the radio, and decorate each corner of your home as if Christ Himself were your honored guest because He is the unseen honored guest of your today, tomorrow and forever. Love Him now, worship Him now, and then experience a little "peace of Christmas" of your very own.

"Dear Lord, I want to pause during this busy but joyous season to give You the honor and glory You deserve. Help me to remember as I celebrate Your birth that Your greatest gift to me was your very life. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Application Steps:
- Ask the Lord to identify the activities He would have you be involved in this holy season and be willing to say "no" as the Lord leads.
- What steps can you take to make a little "peace of Christmas" a reality for you and your family today?
- Look at your schedule for today. Have you carved out any time for Christ, the honored guest?

It's Christmas Eve, live it like it's your last!

12/24/2019

We all have our Christmas Traditions. Tonight, I will be sharing a message with my church at 7PM and we will light candles, and sing songs. My husband and I will eat fish and open a gift from one another. Then, in the morning we will hurry over to my daughter and son in love's house, to watch our grandsons hurry down the steps to see what gifts are under the tree. We will all eat breakfast, and then we will visit family and friends. Everyone has a different tradition. Some may be making them for the very first time. The important thing is to remember to keep Christ in Christmas. Have all the traditions you desire, but keep first things first. It is the birth of Christ. His birth is our ticket to freedom and peace with God as well as eternal life.

I love the Candle Light Service. It reminds me of the star that the wisemen followed. It reminds me that light drives out darkness and light is comforting when you can't see. Light can bring warmth to a cold soul. Just like Jesus we are to be the light of the world. What a great opportunity. When we give gifts we are reminded of the gift God gave us in the form of His Son. There is no greater gift.

Lastly, I want to share this story with you by Zoe Elmore called:

A Little Peace of Christmas

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 (NIV)

When I was young, I would lie under the Christmas tree every night just before bed time watching the lights dance over the ornaments. I loved how the smell of the tree gently hung in the air of our tiny living room. My dad and I used to sing along with Bing Crosby, and my mom would let me watch as she baked baklava (our family's version of Christmas cookies). Now I'm aware that times were simpler then and I was a just child, but these traditions always seemed to usher in a peaceful holiday season for my family.

Today I'm so weary of commercialism and the fast pace of Christmas; the entire holiday season seems to come and go before I ever have time to enjoy the "reason for the season." Maybe it's just my age talking, but I'm longing to experience a little "peace" of Christmas like I used to - but making that a reality in the midst of family and work obligations seems an impossible task.

As I was pondering this dilemma, I re-read this verse in Luke and paid close attention to the word "today." That's it! The answer to my desire for a little "peace of Christmas" is in that one word. Today I will commit everything I do to my sweet Jesus. Today I'll sing every Christmas carol at the top of my voice for His glory. Today I'll honor Christ as I decorate our home by placing a nativity set in my Christmas tree. Today this nativity will serve as a reminder that He was born in order to die on a tree so that I could experience His peace not only at Christmas, but every day. Today I'll bake baklava and share it with the new neighbors as a way to extend the grace Christ has given me. Today I'll call someone who is lonely and hurting and offer my shoulder for his or her tears. Thank you Lord, for You've shown me the way to experience that little "peace of Christmas" my heart has been longing for. That peace begins today.

If you're longing to experience a little peace of Christmas but are wondering if it's possible, let me encourage you to just begin with today. Begin with a fresh commitment to fulfill all of your responsibilities and obligations for the glory of the Lord. Bake each cookie or wrap each gift as if you were presenting it to your sweet Jesus personally. Sing every song you hear on the radio, and decorate each corner of your home as if Christ Himself were your honored guest because He is the unseen honored guest of your today, tomorrow and forever. Love Him now, worship Him now, and then experience a little "peace of Christmas" of your very own.

"Dear Lord, I want to pause during this busy but joyous season to give You the honor and glory You deserve. Help me to remember as I celebrate Your birth that Your greatest gift to me was your very life. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Application Steps:
- Ask the Lord to identify the activities He would have you be involved in this holy season and be willing to say "no" as the Lord leads.
- What steps can you take to make a little "peace of Christmas" a reality for you and your family today?
- Look at your schedule for today. Have you carved out any time for Christ, the honored guest?

Tomorrow is Christmas. Reminder, be "Complaint Free" and love people like your life depended on it, because it does. I will talk with you then. Enjoy life, you only get one.

Christmas Countdown-less than 48 hours.

12/23/2019

The modern rush to reach the next big door-buster has stolen our ability to focus on what matters most. There’s no deal greater than Jesus’ birth, and we don’t have to wait in line for it.

“And now, dear children, continue in Him, so then when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.”
1 John 2:28

Maybe everything isn't done. Perhaps, the house is a mess, the cookies didn't come out just right and you're just not feeling it this year? It's okay. Jesus came into our messy lives to be the Messiah we so desperately needed. He knew we would be in crisis without Christ!

And yes, I know the pressure. Some of you are in a whirlwind stage of life, others are remembering days gone by. But, this I know--time changes but Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He came into our mess with a message. He came into the earth perfect, knowing we could never be. His gift to us, is Himself. Let's be the same to others.

Besides even the Grinch after he'd stolen all the gifts in "Who-ville" couldn't steal the joy of Christmas from the ones who lived in "Who-ville." See, when we know "Who" we are everything else is just details.
And, when the Grinch (we all have them in our lives) heard them still singing praises it changed the Grinch's heart!
Live "Complaint Free" this holiday season.
Sing loud for all to hear!

ACTION STEP: We can aim right at that goal, because He was born to earth as an example of what to shoot for. Christmas is an encouraging reminder to stay focused on the reason for the season. The simple joys connect us to the One who once walked where we trod.

“ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” - Romans 12:10

It's okay to just say, "No."
Before squeezing other event onto a calendar square, we can pause to pray for discernment on whether an additional event or commitment is necessary. “Thank you for thinking of me!” we can reply in the meantime, “I’ll get back to you.” This Christmas, let’s put the magnitude and majesty of the King of Kings at the center of our holiday planner and be "Complaint Free!"

Christmas Countdown 5 Days to go so be "Complaint Free"!

12/20/2019

Breathe. You are going to be okay. God didn't fall off His throne. I know it's Christmas in just five days. The countdown has begun. But, I want you to think about something, no matter how little or how much you have, if you have Jesus you have all you need. He came for us and that is the greatest gift we could ever receive. No matter what you give, or what you get, the most important part of Christmas is right there in the first six letters of the word itself--Christ.

I would like to post video's here on my blog, but they wont come through anymore. So, here is the link of the video I would love to share with you. All you have to do is copy this address https://youtu.be/LbP4KttZOcc and then paste it in your search bar. It is a Micheal Jr. video. He is a christian comedian you will love. He combines the gospel with humor to get his message out. I hope you find it as funny as I do. Watch until then end when he shares about Joseph and Mary losing Jesus.

It is never too late to find Jesus, unless you're already dead. When Michael Jr. talks about Joseph and Mary losing Jesus we can laugh. But, seriously don't you and I sometimes feel like the Christ in Christmas has been lost? The problem today is, no one is looking for Him. That's why we have got to be "Complaint Free" positive people who know where Jesus is. We also need to know and share, that He is the Messiah. He is Emmanuel-God with us. When God is with us, there is no reason to complain. He is always as close as the mention of His Name. He will never leave us or forsake us. We are to rejoice in all things and at all times.

ACTION STEP: "Be Complaint Free". Christmas will be here in five days whether you complain about it or not. Christmas will come whether it snows, rains or the sun shines. Christmas will come whether the cookies are baked or the house is clean, or your favorite family member is there or not. Christ is why we celebrate Christmas and He is the greatest present we can give, and the greatest one we will ever receive. Refuse to complain and instead be grateful, merry and bright. After all we are the light of the world, so shine with all you've got!

How are you?

12/19/2019

Often times in life we get on a treadmill. We hop on as soon as our feet hit the floor and we don't get off, we fall off, only to get up and get back on. We couldn't tell you the last time we saw a sunset. We don't remember the last time we sat down and had a nice dinner with someone we love and enjoy conversation. We are not well. We are not happy. We are functioning.

The wonderful thing about living for Christ rather than living for ourselves or others is the "Why" behind what we do. When we find out our why? Things are not so easily complained about. When we catch ourselves complaining, we need to ask ourselves "Why?" What is causing me to complain. Perhaps, it is an inside issue not an outside problem that causes me to GRIPE. (Look back to previous Blog for more information.)

ACTION STEP: Think about what you like. Consider what makes you happy. Do one of those two things. I will be praying for you. Go somewhere and take in a whole different world and enjoy life.

Focus on what you want and you will get more of it.

12/18/2019

“Complaining is focusing on what we don’t want.” Will Bowen

Spend a few minutes and turn on this You Tube Video and listen as Will Bowen shares fifteen minutes about being "Complaint Free". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b8KTLzo5-0 .
Then read the following excerpt from Will Bowen and find out what stage you are currently and then aim to get to stage four in the being "Complaint Free" area of life.

Shutting Down the Complaint Factory

There are four stages to building competence in any area, notes Bowen. “In becoming a complaint-free person, you will go through each of them and, sorry, you can’t skip steps.”

The first stage is Unconscious Incompetence, in which we aren’t even aware of the change we need to make or the skill we lack. Basically, we have no idea about how often we complain. Bowen notes that, ironically, many of the purple-bracelet requests he receives come from people in this stage. “Please send me purple bracelets right away,” they write. “Everybody I know complains all the time.”

This stage is followed by Conscious Incompetence, in which we become uncomfortably aware (conscious) of just how often we complain (are incompetent). And, trust me, it’s a lot more often than you think. I consider myself a pretty positive person, and I was shocked at just how much I complained during the first several days of the Challenge. Most people give up during this phase because they feel overwhelmed, writes Bowen. He counsels readers to remember that failing is inevitable at first, but it will get easier, and the payoff is worth the effort.

The next stage is Conscious Competence. Here, Bowen explains “you begin to be aware of everything you are saying. You are moving your bracelet far less frequently because you are very careful when you speak.”

As you hit this stage, don’t worry if you struggle for words, or don’t know how to replace habitual complaining with something else. Periods of silence are typical as you transition to less negative language. Lean into the silence, he suggests, and keep marking your progress.

The final stage is Unconscious Competence. This is when you have literally rewired your brain such that you naturally show up Complaint Free. “You will find that your mind no longer produces the deluge of unhappy thoughts you used to live with. Because you are not speaking them, you have no outlet for them, and the complaint factory in your mind closes down.”

Action Step: Invest the months it takes to develop the skill of complaint-free living, promises Bowen, and you’ll find that “you are a different person . . . a happier person.” And you’ll be joining millions of others who are committed to creating a happier, complaint-free world. I am taking the challenge and it is producing fruit in my life.