I'm seriously thinking about taking the challenge to go a full 21 days without a single complaint. This inspirational challenge has been set by A Complaint Free World, an non-profit, non-religious organisation who envision a positive shift in the world's consciousness. The want to inspire 1% (60 million people) of the world's population to leave the toxic communication of complaining behind and experience an internal shift towards being more positive, hopeful and optimistic.
One of the ways they hope to achieve this goal is by selling purple bracelets. You wear the bracelet for 21 days and each time you complain (about anything) you switch it to the other wrist. The goal is to go for 21 consecutive days without complaining or switching the bracelet.
I found it interesting (and slightly synchronistic) that their motto is "if you don't like something, change it, if you can't change it, change your attitude - don't complain." I have this quotation pinned up beside my computer at work but didn't realise these are the words of Dr Maya Angelou. She received the 6 millionth purple Complaint Free bracelet on 10 September this year. Eckhart Tolle also expresses these sentiments in his book The Power of Now.
It's certainly very easy to complain about our lot in life rather than counting all the blessings we have. I've just finished reading an article by Doreen Virtue in which she asks that we enjoy our life now in this moment and not waste our life waiting for some future day when we have no problems. Every single moment contains a blessing, even the worst day of our life.
The same magazine had an article by Tim Freke in which he talks about the mystery of the moment and how by spending so much time engrossed in the story of our lives we are missing out on all the wondrous magic of our existence. Just by stepping out of our 'story' for a little while and noticing the beauty and mystery all around us can be exhilarating and helps us see everything from a new perspective.
21 days of no complaining seems like a tough challenge - I wonder if I'm up for it. Watch this space.
One of the ways they hope to achieve this goal is by selling purple bracelets. You wear the bracelet for 21 days and each time you complain (about anything) you switch it to the other wrist. The goal is to go for 21 consecutive days without complaining or switching the bracelet.
I found it interesting (and slightly synchronistic) that their motto is "if you don't like something, change it, if you can't change it, change your attitude - don't complain." I have this quotation pinned up beside my computer at work but didn't realise these are the words of Dr Maya Angelou. She received the 6 millionth purple Complaint Free bracelet on 10 September this year. Eckhart Tolle also expresses these sentiments in his book The Power of Now.
It's certainly very easy to complain about our lot in life rather than counting all the blessings we have. I've just finished reading an article by Doreen Virtue in which she asks that we enjoy our life now in this moment and not waste our life waiting for some future day when we have no problems. Every single moment contains a blessing, even the worst day of our life.
The same magazine had an article by Tim Freke in which he talks about the mystery of the moment and how by spending so much time engrossed in the story of our lives we are missing out on all the wondrous magic of our existence. Just by stepping out of our 'story' for a little while and noticing the beauty and mystery all around us can be exhilarating and helps us see everything from a new perspective.
21 days of no complaining seems like a tough challenge - I wonder if I'm up for it. Watch this space.
Thanks for the book recommendation and I look forward to reading about your progress. Have a funny feeling that it's going to take longer than 21 days to create my new habit - today has definitely been a 'complaining day'.
Posted by: Dharma in the Garden | Monday, 09 November 2009 at 04:03 PM
A complaint Free World sounds absolutely fabulous and the bracelets are a great idea! They say it takes 21 days to create a new habit -good luck.
I have found a great book which is helping me change my life - The Greatest Salesman in The World" by Og Mandino. It helps you replace bad habits (complaining is definitely one of mine) and replacing them with good ones. Worth looking into to.
I'll be writing about this soon on my blog.
Posted by: Colette | Saturday, 07 November 2009 at 02:48 PM