Possibility of Today: Sibyl Chavis Interview #2

by Tess

Bold Living Series Interview #2

sibyl Possibility of Today: Sibyl Chavis Interview #2

My interview today is with Sibyl Chavis from Possibility of Today. She's on a mission to make our world complaint free.

Tell us about one life experience that has helped you become the person you are today?


One life experience that has definitely shaped who I am was a challenge I completed. I gave up complaining for 40 days. It may not sound like an amazing life experience or anything really significant, but it was the part of my journey that literally changed my life … forever. After I completed the 40 days, I no longer saw the world the same way. 


I never imagined that ending my complaining would have such a profound impact on my life, but it opened me up to experience life the way it was meant to be lived. It was the spark that opened me up to living in a different way and I haven't been the same since.


There are just so many benefits to removing negativity from your words and from your mind. It allowed me to focus my attention and energy on the things they should be and on creating those things I really wanted. I was able to see a very important lesson and universal truth at work …

 
 

"What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it." Oprah Winfrey


Do you have a morning routine that set the tone for your day?


I definitely have a morning routine now, but the importance of having one was definitely a lesson I admittedly learned later in life. It is so great to begin your day with a routine that centers you and makes sure you are ready to start the day. 

A main part of my morning routine is to read a manifesto that reminds me of all the possibilities I have to live the day in an amazing way. To live in a way where you don’t allow the “stuff of life” to monopolize all of your attention and you carry your underlying knowingness of who you really are and what really matters in the background as you move through the day. One of my most favorite parts of the manifesto …

 

“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” – Dalai Lama

Whose philosophy or lifestyle has most influenced the woman you've become?

There really are so many people I admire and whose philosophies I have learned so much from. Some that come immediately to mind include: Eckhart Tolle, Dalai Lama, Wayne Dyer, Oprah Winfrey, Thomas Troward, and Deepak Chopra. 

 

What is in your toolbox that allows you to overcome fear?


Sometimes I can rely on my confidence to overshadow fears and other times I have to turn to my belief that you can always move forward even with fears on your back. A lesson I have learned is that it is okay, and somewhat expected to have fears. The important thing is not that you are completely free of fears, but rather that you don't let them hold you back or convince you to not go after what you really want.


Can you tell us about a bold action you've taken in the past month?

I had to let go of something I invested a lot of time and energy into so I could make room in my life for something new that is more important to me. I am sometimes not the greatest at letting things go, but there are those times where it is necessary to just move on.  

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”  Marilyn Monroe

What are  you currently reading?

The World's Wisdom by Phillip Novak.

 

If you had the opportunity to give the world a 60 second message what would it be?


There really is a different way to live. We can live in a way where we still take care of and focus on the things that are very important to us: our family, friends, job, responsibilities, goals, and whatever else life may throw our way; but, at every single point of the day we can be centered.


Don’t get overwhelmed or allow things to feel too heavy.  Remain grounded in the present moment and experience what it means to have a continual peace of mind. Be attentive and deliberate with all of your actions. Live consciously.

 

Pursue your passions. Continually tap into your potential and accomplish your dreams. Time and time again, aim and achieve all that is possible.

 

This is how you were meant to live and experience life. When you live this way your talents come more and more alive and you accomplish more than you could ever imagine. Take advantage of all the possibilities of Today.


Be inspired and download Sibyl's, "The Possibility of Today Manifesto." It's free.

475ABD1B3FA44CD4EC623D9B512EE2D6 Possibility of Today: Sibyl Chavis Interview #2

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    { 31 comments… read them below or add one }

    Katie | Momentum Gathering September 21, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Sibyl, what amazing changes you’ve made in your life. It’s so inspiring to hear how profound consciously not complaining was for you. I think many of us do it and don’t even know we’re doing it. A restless unease can permeate our day and we’re not even aware that it’s our own voice sometimes that’s causing it. I love the morning manifesto and have printed it and placed it near my desk. It’s lovely and so are you and Tess for sharing. Thank you.
    Katie | Momentum Gathering´s last post…The Power of Baby Steps

    Reply

    Sibyl September 21, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    Katie: Thank you so much for the kind words. I totally agree with what you said about causing our own unease and not realizing it. I had to really dial up my awareness and pay attention in order to control my complaining, but it literally was the best thing I have ever done. Thank so much for the kind words about the manifesto. I am glad you like it;)

    Reply

    Galen Pearl September 21, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    I always enjoy hearing about one of my favorite bloggers like Sibyl. I have joined Sibly in striving to be complaint free. I love the morning manifesto you quoted and I’m going to copy it and use it myself! Thanks for that gift!
    Galen Pearl´s last post…I’m a Grandmother…and I’m Grateful!

    Reply

    Sibyl September 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Hi Galen: Always so great to hear from you and thank you for the kind words:) Here’s to us all becoming complaint free together. Thank you so much for the comment.

    Reply

    Sibyl September 21, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    Tess:
    Thank you so much for the opportunity to contribute and be a part of your interview series. You know I am such a fan of your site and am so honored to be a part of what you are doing here. Thanks for making me really think with all these thought provoking questions;)

    Reply

    Betsy at Zen Mama September 21, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Hi Sibyl,
    I gave up complaining for lent once and have never looked back! Love everything you have to say! And you have some wonderful quotes to illustrate your thoughts. Can’t wait to read through your website and to read your manifesto. Thanks, Tess, for sharing!
    Betsy at Zen Mama´s last post…Inspirational Movie Monday

    Reply

    Sibyl September 23, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Betsy: Thank you so much for the comment and the kind words. Isn’t becoming complaint free one of the best things ever? :) So glad to hear the positive effect it had for you as well.

    Reply

    Cathy | Treatment Talk September 21, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    Hi Sibyl and Tess,

    Beautiful post. Giving up complaining is so insightful. It’s so easy to let those negative words slip out whenever something doesn’t go quite the way you expected. I have to catch myself at times with that one too, so good idea to take an intentioned break. A morning ritual is important. I like to meditate, do a little yoga if a can and read from a couple of daily readers. It sets me to have a good day.
    Cathy | Treatment Talk´s last post…Stay Close: An Interview with Libby Cataldi

    Reply

    Sibyl September 23, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Hi Cathy: Thank you so much for the kind words. You are so right that complaints can just slip out before we even realize it. I think what you mentioned about intentioned breaks is so important and it has definitely helped me tremendously. I love your morning ritual ;) I am sure it just gets everything started off on the right foot. Thanks for the taking the time to comment. Always appreciated.

    Reply

    Jimmy/Life Architect September 22, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Hi Sibyl and Tess,

    I have heard of the 30 days complain free challenge, but you went one notch better. Great stuff and determination. One thing you did not touch on this challenge is what are the challenges you faced in this 40 day challenge. Could you care to share more here.

    I like routines as well. Every morning it is a must for me to do my meditative exercise. It is only 2 minute thing but I find that I am totally more effective when I did not miss it. I also need to read for 15-30min and visualize my own vision points. That really set up my day well.

    But sometimes, I will jumble up my routine – you know doing the same thing but changing the order. It helps to shift our perspective and provide variety.

    Thank for this really nice interview.

    Cheers
    Jimmy/Life Architect´s last post…Summary of the Series on 25 Elementary Principles for Success in Life

    Reply

    Sibyl September 23, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Hey Jimmy: Thanks for the comment. You are so right that I forgot to mention the challenges I faced during the time I was working to become complaint free. Let’s just say there were numerous ones:) I actually wrote an entire eBook about them because it was definitely a challenging time. It was difficult at first to stop complaining because I didn’t even realize how ingrained it was. That was the first hurdle I had to overcome. Then, I needed to change the types of thoughts that were running through my mind and make certain they were more positive. It took some practice, but after 40 days I was able to become complaint free …. and I haven’t looked back;)

    Thanks so much for the question and taking the time to comment.

    Reply

    John Sherry September 23, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Tess and Sibyl. a lovely gentle interchange between you that we were allowed to sit in on. What piqued my enthusisam was the mention of letting go. I’m at an age of choosing and wishing to let go of so much, to allow life to happen on its own without too much interference from me – to trust it to unravel itself. The blocks are there, emotional, sentimental, ingrained, preventitive fears of mine. But I’m winning, I’m ahead, I’m sticking it out to make uncomfortable into accepted. And that’s all you can do, right?
    John Sherry´s last post…Are You Open For Business?

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    John:
    Thank you so much for the taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. I love what you said about making uncomfortable into accepted. That statement is literally dripping in wisdom and yes, that is exactly what you are supposed to do:) Thanks again for the comment.

    Reply

    Jen September 23, 2011 at 11:35 am

    I really enjoyed learning a little more about you Sibyl.
    I can relate to the difficulty of making hard decisions to allow for more space and new things in my life. What a wonderful way to start your morning, a process I have had challenges with as I rush to get three children up and out the door.

    I am thinking the complaint free 40 day trial should be implemented in my house. Do you suppose a teenager could do it? Perhaps not, but all my kids would become more aware of the balance between negative and positive words and phrases!

    Thank you for a great article, and thanks Tess, for sharing Sibyl with us!
    In Harmony,
    Jen
    Jen´s last post…This Week at my Den

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    Jen:
    Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I am so glad that you enjoyed the interview and I do think a teenager would be a great candidate for the complaint free challenge. I know it won’t be a cake walk, but the results they would get would make the challenge well worth it:) Thanks again for the comment.

    Reply

    Jt Clough | Big Island Dog September 23, 2011 at 11:57 am

    I LOVE the 40 days free of complaining idea!! :)

    On a personal note I have had my own sort of “manifesto” with this idea. I have a sister who was entangled in my business, my home, my dogs, my top number most of the time in recent calls to my cell phone… and she bitched, moaned, complained, found the worst in everything, and it was always someone else at fault.

    It was awful. I vowed to myself that I would not do things to make people feel that way around me. I started realizing when I complained, aka bitched. Though it was nothing to the degree my sister did it, complaining aka bitching in fact did exist in me. And it was enough to make me stop. Say something positive instead.

    The sister no longer speaks to me since it was in fact my fault that I sold everything and decided to live my dreams in Hawaii. And my business which is me, what I do, what I manifest came with me.

    Word has it she is still complaining, blaming and generally unpleasant to be around. I am living a wonderful life. Manifesto: Say something positive. :)

    Aloha Wags!
    Jt Clough | Big Island Dog´s last post…This is Your Life

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    JT: Thanks for the great comment and I am so glad that you like the idea of the 40 day challenge. I really do think it can be life changing. I love that you decided to live your dreams in Hawaii:) That is sooooo what it is all about. Aloha :)

    Sibyl

    Reply

    Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot September 23, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Hi Tess, thanks for sharing Sibyl with us – she looks and sounds gorgeous. I love her mission to rid the world of complaints. I know I have nothing to complain about but sometimes a little whinge does get it all out of my system and make me feel better;)
    Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot´s last post…7 Best Places for a Dream Trip in Australia

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Annabel: How sweet are you? Thank you for the kind words. Your check is in the mail:) It is always so great to hear people say they have nothing to complain about. I think that is such a healthy perspective and one that we should all be so fortunate to have. If you look at things the right way and appreciate them, then it is even easier not to overdo it with the complaining.

    Reply

    Ken Wert September 24, 2011 at 12:34 am

    Hi Tess and Sibyl!

    Awesome interview with two of my favorite writers! In my own personal development, I’ve found that a VERBAL complain-free life is so much easier than a MENTAL complain-free life. Still working on that one! It doesn’t take long behind the wheel of my car that my mind starts criticizing other drivers!

    Thanks for a wonderfully substantive interview!
    Ken Wert´s last post…“I Love You Most-er!”

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Hey Ken: Thank you so much for the kind words and taking the time to comment. I agree with what you said about the mental complaint free being the most challenging part. One step at a time and being verbal complaint free is definitely something to be proud of:)

    Reply

    sheila September 24, 2011 at 4:31 am

    Ah, I too gave up complaining. It is amazing what a burden lifts off one’s self when they make this choice! BEAUTIFUL interview, and a beautiful lady inside and out. I can only imagine how much peace we would have in the world if everyone did a self adjustment. One day.
    sheila´s last post…“Booyah! Spirit” …is finally here!!!

    Reply

    Galen Pearl September 24, 2011 at 8:26 am

    FYI Tess and Sibyl, I quoted and linked to your interview in my most recent post. Thanks for the inspiration!!
    Galen Pearl´s last post…For Today, Newly Bright

    Reply

    marge September 24, 2011 at 10:15 am

    great interview and very inspirational.with our daily events sometimes negatives can come into thoughts being able to recognize them and turn negatives into positives is essential for personal growth.
    marge´s last post…whirligigs

    Reply

    Justin | Mazzastick September 25, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Hi Sibyl,
    I really enjoyed this interview with you. Complaining really does lower our vibrations and affect our well being so that is why I redirect my thoughts when I notice that i am being overly critical.

    I agree that it is a good idea to start our days in any way that empowers us.
    Justin | Mazzastick´s last post…The Ego Mind And The Higher Mind

    Reply

    Stuart September 25, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Sibyl, a wonderful collection of answers given! I thank you for providing the insights to your character, as it is certainly a strong one!

    Just a thought here: I wander what would happen if we had a ‘National Complaint-Free Day’? If a country, any country, could go about their day without complaining, what would the results be?

    It may be a long way away, but I’d be excited to see what happens.

    Thanks Sibyl, and thanks Tess for providing us with this wonderful interview :-)

    Reply

    Rand September 25, 2011 at 10:55 am

    Hi Sibyl!

    I noticed the link today.

    By living consciously complaint *free* I am finding that I do indeed have continual peace of mind from moment to moment. Thank you Sibyl for helping me with this!

    Thank you Tess for having Sibyl here.

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Rand: So glad you found me here:) Thanks for the comment and you are more than welcome.

    Reply

    Sibyl September 25, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Annabel: How sweet are you? :) Thank you for the kind words. Your check is in the mail:) It is always so great to hear people say they have nothing to complain about. I think that is such a healthy perspective and one that we should all be so fortunate to have. If you look at things the right way and appreciate them, then it is even easier not to overdo it with the complaining.

    Reply

    Vic September 25, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    Hi Sybil,

    Great interview! I recently gave up complaining for 21 days. This also had a profound effect on me. I really think that it’s an exercise of self awareness. The more you are in tune to your tendencies, the better you can control them.
    Vic´s last post…The Key To Happiness is Loving Yourself

    Reply

    Patricia September 27, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    I have done very well at giving up complaining until the next pain struck – I am currently using my complaint response to remind myself – “there must be something better”
    Pain just seems to take hold of my entire focus and concentration. I am finding the Miracle Balls and breathing exercises to help me focus back to the positive…and a Buddhist book about how to be sick also helps with the turn around. I think many of the moms I grew up with complained because they felt powerless in their lives and not so powerful. In my 60s, I can see that we are learning new and better ways and that we have come a long way – I still want to appreciate the lessons learned so I do not give up and regress.
    Nice interview and I so like the morning ritual for change. Thank you for sharing

    Reply

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