Wednesday, May 12, 2010

21 Days Of No Complaining: WTF?

While stocking books at the Mercer Island Thrift Store, I stumbled across "A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted" by Will Bowen, and was intrigued by the concept:
"Bowen is a minister with a very simple message: quit complaining. If you do, you'll be happier and healthier. Hence his Complaint-Free World challenge; the goal is to stop for 21 consecutive days. Why 21? That's how long it takes to break a habit, according to Bowen, who has appeared on Oprah and The Today Show discussing his challenge. And while there's no scientific proof his program works, he includes testimonials from people who've stopped their chronic carping and now lead more positive lives." (from its Amazon listing)
Now I like a good challenge, but this one seems crazier than most. Is it really possible to go three weeks without complaining? And would I be better off if I did?

Call me stupid, but I resolved then and there to try it.

I talked it over with my wife. "I really hate it when other people complain all the time. Some of our friends are pretty annoying that way."Then I slapped my forehead, "D'oh! I was just complaining."

"Tomorrow's Mother's Day," she said, "Why not start then? It's somehow appropriate."

This is true. My mother has never complained in my hearing; not once, in more than fifty years. I don't know how that can be, since she has plenty to complain about, but I believe it's a fact.

So for Mother's Day, I started. No complaints. It's not so easy; I'm not complaining, simply stating a fact. Lots of things are not easy and actually I'm boasting when I point out I'm doing something not easy, so in a way, I've got some benefit already: another boasting point. I'm doing something that's too hard for most people!

I hope there isn't a book that counsels against boasting. I'm not complaining, but I think it's better to work on one thing at a time.
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EDITTED: Learn more here: http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

3 comments:

rewinn said...

I had to start over.

And over.

And over.

And over.

... it's a good book and a good discipline, but not as easy as it sounds. Try it!

rewinn said...

FYI - I'm starting over.

I *will* make this work. But it's not easy!

rewinn said...

Starting over. 10/15/2010.