Sunday, July 1, 2012

LML (Come join my movement!)

I admit that when I first saw the term "FML" popping up online - mostly in Facebook status updates - I had to look it up. I was hoping that it didn't mean what I was guessing it meant, but it does. (For those of you that  aren't familiar with it, the "ML" stands for "my life" and the "F" stands for something that I would never say in mixed company. Let's just leave it at that.)

I have to say I was a bit bothered by the term. Not just because it was crude - I could get over that, I suppose. But mostly I was bothered by how it was being used. "The vending machine was out of Diet Coke. FML." Or "There's nothing on TV tonight. FML." All I could say was... REALLY?! Those are the kinds of things in your life that are so catastrophic?! Please.

Granted, we all get frustrated from time to time. Life sometimes piles on the headaches, and there are days that the entire universe seems to be conspiring against us. I get it. Perhaps we all, in a moment of exasperation, have uttered some form of "I hate my freaking life" sentiment. It's easy to toss something like that out - one of those things that we just say to blow off some steam, but don't really even think about what we're actually saying.

The other day I caught myself doing just that. I was cranky, and feeling sorry for myself, and started to do a little bit of "woe is me" muttering. But then I actually stopped and realized what I was saying, and how incredibly wrong it was. No, my life doesn't suck, and no, I don't hate it. Quite the contrary. I love my life. A lot.

And that's when I started thinking. Although I've seen the term "FML" come up in people's posts - way more often than I'd like - I couldn't recall ever having seen anyone use "LML." I wondered if it was even a thing. (So I looked it up too. It is a thing - I'm not the first to come up with it. But it seems that it's not used nearly as often as its more negative counterpart.) It's as if we have reached a point that we are more willing to get melodramatic about the little negatives in our lives than we are to focus on the positives. And I would really like to see that change.

So I've decided to start a movement, and I invite you all to join me. Every now and then, stop and think about how much you love your life. Count your blessings, find your reasons to smile, and realize that the good really does outweigh the bad. And whenever you find something that reminds you how much you love your life... share it. Let others feel your joy, and share your smiles.

And as often as possible, end your Facebook status update with "LML!"

22 comments:

  1. Great idea! I try to remember to be more positive but often end up just being less negative. At least I'm trying!

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    1. Baby steps - the more we try, the easier it gets. :) Thanks for visiting!

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  2. I say YES!

    The LML Movement is all about Gratitude, Celebration and the Power of Choice we ALL have in any moment to Focus into the Positive.

    As part of the LML Movement we Accept, Surrender and Forgive anything that's no longer serving and use even the darkest of experiences to LOL (love our lives) even more!

    Who's with us!?!

    Love, Dewi
    http://beyourbrilliance.wordpress.com

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  3. This reminds me of one of my favorite Louis C.K. routines of all time, where he talks about how everything's amazing and nobody's happy:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk&feature=related

    I like your idea for a LML focus. Maybe I should do something like LML Friday or something like that where I specifically focus on that positivity on my blog too. :)

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    1. I love that clip! It makes me laugh every time I see it.

      But more to the point... Yes! Do it! I would LOVE to see LML spread! Not only would it be great for your readers to share in your joy, but it would give you a great excuse to sit back and think about the things that make you happy. :)

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  4. I LOVE this idea! I can't tell you how many times I saw FML and laughed at the sheer shallowness of it.
    I will certainly have to make more positive updates on FB ending with LML.
    I already do count my blessings, though. At Sunfire's Ramblings every Sunday, I share my Gratitude, Blessings and Thanks.
    Glad to have found fellow positive bloggers in this Challenge!
    ~Sunfire

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Connie! And thank you for introducing me to Sunfire's Ramblings. I love it! (I admit that I had to pull myself away from it so that I could come back here and tend to things. I look forward to exploring it more.) Thank you so much for sharing your positive energy!

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  5. Love it!! I will do just that (LML)I generally do LML, even the tough parts. FML takes you down the negative spiral and I have no desire to be there, TYVM

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    1. Absolutely! The more we remind ourselves to focus on the positive, the easier it gets. Thanks for visiting!

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  6. This is a fantastic idea, Melissa! I am one of the people guilty of using FML. In fact, I think I did the day before yesterday.... But it's generally used in a sarcastic tone.

    I'm going to start using LML every chance I get now. :D

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    1. Glad to hear it! Keep spreading the positive thoughts. :)

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  7. Nice idea! I'm not a fan of the FML (although upon occasion, it fits) but would rather see more LMLs because that's all about gratitude and the more gratitude you have, the more you have for which to be thankful.

    Lisa @ practicallyintuitive.com

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    1. Exactly! I think most of us have been guilty of the occasional FML thought. But when we don't let that be our focus, I think it puts us in much better shape.

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  8. Awesome idea!! I LML!! I will join your movement, and will make a point of pointing it out to others too. Is is too true that FML comes up way more often than LML!!

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    1. Glad to hear it! I say use it every chance you get. Hopefully people will start asking you about it, and you can help spread the word. :)

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  9. I completely agree! It's irritating to see people post "FML" when it's something ridiculous. There are people with legitimate problems in the world with FAR WORSE a situation as most of us. I LML! I think if we get enough people started, we could make it a thing!! Ü

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    1. You're right - there are people with legitimate problems that most of us can't even imagine. And isn't it interesting that so often you see the people with the actual problems being the ones that are making more of an effort to focus on the positive? Those are the people that always inspire me, and that is the kind of example that I want to follow, and set for others. Thanks for stopping by! And thanks for helping me "make it a thing!" :)

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  10. LMS, Melissa, a very bright part of ML. :)

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    1. Thanks sis! Having you in my life is definitely one of the blessings that I count every day. <3

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  11. Melissa,
    I'm on board for LML. Hope you are planning to start a membership site.

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  12. I was late to the UBC party, so didn't see this earliest July post, but it's a good one. I must admit that I did use FML once on facebook. I don't remember now what it was about--which means it must not really have been all that FML worthy--but I *am* relatively certain it was more important than not getting the soda I wanted. ;-) I do try to see the positive side of things most times, and I like the idea of a short abbreviation that can immediately sum up overall joy.

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