#OccupyAdvent: A 24 Day Challenge

Who hasn't heard of the 30 day challenges swarming all areas of social media? It seems like every month there's a new one popping up, whether it's an exercise challenge, a healthy eating challenge, or a clothing challenge. These are all good, but today, the Ladies of Provocative Manners would like to challenge you to a special 24 day challenge and it's the perfect time of year to begin! With the season of Advent and Christmas upon us, it is time that we re-examine ourselves internally and externally. The purpose of the #OccupyAdvent 24 day Challenge is to help you simplify your everyday life while using those benefits to pay it forward through charity to others. You have 24 days! How will you spend each day?

ramblingrenovators

Every week we will be sharing some experiences of our readers during this #OccupyAdvent Challenge. Don't worry, if we choose to share your story, it will be anonymous. Feel free to send us your Challenge "stories" to provocativemanners@yahoo.com, on our Facebook Personal Page, or our Business Page.

Here are the guidelines for the #OccupyAdvent 24 Day Challenge. Remember that the purpose of this is to improve ourselves, assist those around us, and prepare us for Christmas. These are only guidelines, adjust them to accommodate your lifestyle.

1. Contemplate the Meaning of Christmas.

     This time of year isn't only about ourselves, family, friends or even strangers. This time of year is about the birth of Christ. How are you preparing for His Birthday? Without Him, this season would not exist, so let's show some thanks!

2. Simplify Your Life. 

      This may include limiting your access to social media and increasing time within your day for reading, organizing, or helping others. You know better than anyone what consumes your time and yet doesn't have much merit. Spend more time with family and friends, these are the moments that you will remember when you get older and the kids are grown. Don't have regrets!

3. Don't Purchase Anything You Don't NEED!

     Yes, we know this is difficult this time of year, but our consumerism mentality is overbearing. (Maybe this is one of the reasons I cannot stand Black Friday, or Black Saturday, or Cyber Monday...) For me, it will be difficult to drive past Starbucks without a Skinny Peppermint Mocha, but instead of spending the money there, I can donate food to the local pantry or purchase gifts for families in need. That cup of Peppermint Mocha will be so much more enjoyable on December 26th by waiting!

4. Internal and External Silence.

     We all have loud, busy, chaotic lives 12 months out of the year. Maybe these 24 days we can occupy ourselves internally and externally with moments of silence. Take a few minutes out of each day, even 5 minutes to sit in silence. Don't try to plan your next party, or dwell on all the gifts you have to purchase, but enjoy those moments of silence. They are more important than you realize.

5. Keep Perspective - Pay it Forward

     Charity is the highest form of respect for others. Whether you give a meal to the homeless man standing on the corner or choose to give your waiter an extra percentage of a well-earned tip, these are the moments that make living worth while, because for once you are not making it about yourself. The most important thing to remember: don't brag about it. Once you tell the world your inner most actions, those beautiful forms of charity begin to loose bits of their luster.

Take Control of Your #OccupyAdvent 24 Day Challenge! 

How will you push yourself to be a better you?

     

95.7 KJR

Your Personal Investment: Generosity

Do you view your life as a personal investment?  Well you should!  Unfortunately, people take this too far.  Life should not just be about what you put in versus how much you receive back.  Some of the best rewards are for those unseen acts!  Now you ask, what rewards?  Unfortunately, everything is viewed on a monetary level, instead of through a heart of charity, kindness, forgiveness and generosity.

Generosity

Instead of always investing in yourself, invest in others!  Have some faith!  Life isn't about always seeing a reward, it's about a life long mission of love.  And no, not a love only for yourself!  A love for others through generosity!

What is generosity?  "It is the habit of giving without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait." Taken from Wikipedia

Police Man Buying Boots!

We know, we know, it's hard to always give and never receive anything in return, but isn't that what unconditional love is all about?

Do you have a friend in need?  Stop by with a cup of coffee to encourage a heart to heart talk.

Is your neighbor struggling to pay their bills?  Make them a meal to help relieve a little bit of stress.

Does your child need some quality time?  Take them to go see the Christmas lights.

A Mercy Christmas

Whatever the reason, generosity should be a top priority in everyone's life.  

It doesn't only mean being generous with your money, but generous with your time!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

With the mad rush of Christmas shopping, planning and decorating, the unnecessary stress begins to take a toll on us all. So let's take a step back to reflect on a simple phrase we should remember and put into practice during these amazing, memorable and fabulous Holiday times!

 

"Show Some R.E.S.P.E.C.T!"

Crabbiness Is Not An Option!
When we say, "keep your crabbiness at home", we don't mean reserve it only for your family.  Not only should you be kind and warm-hearted towards your friends but especially with your family, those you live with!  No one enjoys spending time with a moody person. Keep your uncharitable opinions, nasty comments and unkind looks for yourself! Show some Christmas spirit with a smile for your neighbor, a kind word to a stranger or compliment a friend! Christmas isn't only about you!

Two-Faced Comments Are Not Charitable!

If you feel the need to talk about a friend, family member, co-worker or even a stranger, remember the old saying, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all!"  There is a difference between discussing a problem versus picking apart a woman's wardrobe.  In the end, when women speak nasty about other women, it's usually out of jealousy.  Think before you speak!

Mrs. Santa Cookies

Light The Way For Others!

Make a conscious effort to notice other people, instead of focusing on your own inner struggles.  The world needs people who care and it all starts with each of us individually!  Help an elderly lady reach for a book off the shelf, hold the door for a mother and her children, smile at the clerk and wish them a Merry Christmas, or even throwing an intimate dinner for your close friends and family shows you care.  Be a candle that lights the way for others, a person who people can come for advice, come for warmth and even for good company to take their minds off the stresses and struggles of life.  Start this ripple effect and you will be surprised at the outcome!

The Fabulous Art of Confronting Without Offending

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

There comes a time in everyone's life when we must step out of our comfort-zone and stand-up.  Stand up for what you may ask?  Well it could be anything from family support, defending our friends/husbands/lovers, watching out for our children or even making a short, but sweet opinionated comment to set the record straight.  This doesn't mean we need to always have our mouths open waiting for the next opportunity to let our voices be heard.  That is far from what I'm saying!  Unfortunately, too many of us talk and never listen, however, there will come a point when we all must TALK!  So, what will you say?

Pillow Tallk

How do you confront someone, whether it's your parents, best friend, sibling, spouse or a stranger on the street?  We aren't talking about confronting someone just to show off, because too many people do that and yes, we may be referring to politicians.  No, we know that at some point we will all be place in a situation, which will probably take us unaware, but we will have to stand-up!  Whether it's standing up for what we believe in, stand up for our family or just to fix a lack of communication issue.

How to Confront a Situation and Still be Fabulous!

First, check your sources.  Before bolting head first into an explosive situation, make sure the facts line up.  If they don't, you are going to look like the idiot in the end.

Second, know how you plan to approach the situation.  But remember, it doesn't matter how you expect a situation to turn out, it never happens the way you envision it!  Be prepared, meaning, have a plan B.  Maybe your person won't be as confrontational as you expect or maybe you will end up being more calm during the conversation.

Third, be charitable.  Don't personally damage another person's reputation in public.  This conversation may be necessary and happen to occur in a group setting, but instead of personally attacking, try stating the facts and then explaining your opinion to get your point across.

Fourth, don't make enemies.  Confronting a person does not mean that you have a new arch-enemy!  This outcome will most likely depend on your approach to the situation, so stay calm and charitable.  Less emotion is always better.

Fifth, end it.  A conversation doesn't have to last a lifetime.  There's no need to hold a grudge and seek revenge whether you were in the right or not.  It's time to move on, and sometimes that means an apology is in order.  However, if you are the one who expecting an apology, DON'T.  It will probably never come, and if it does it will be when you least expect it.  Have some sympathy towards that other person.  Apologizing is one of the hardest acts for a person to do.  If it does come, welcome it with open arms!

End the Conversation

So there you have it, confront without offending.  It may seem impossible, but it doesn't have to be so.  Keep your emotions to a minimum and have compassion for that fellow person!

Word to the Wise...know the art of being fabulous before confronting the situation!