Day One

DAY ONE: Real time
DAY ONE: Countdown to 21 complaint free days.


Yesterday I wandered into my local import store and found a temporary bracelet to begin my "complaint free" journey. I'm afraid to wait too long....my attention span has shortened recently and I don't want to lose my enthusiasm.

It's yellow and orange, one of those bracelets made of thread wrapped tightly around some kind of form. But the best part: It has bells sewn onto it! Anyone who knows me knows that I love bells and chimes, anything that rings (except phones...I'm not a fan of talking on those and they have to ring in order to get started down that path.) But my new bracelet is pretty and it makes gentle noises as I move.

Then something strange happened. I slowly took it out of the bag in the car and stared at it, like it was going to spring into life on its own. And I realized I was afraid to put it on. Once I did I was committed. I stuffed it back in the bag and drove home.

I eventually did put it on late yesterday afternoon, a Sunday with a lot of things going on in my life. And I did really good with my complaining! That doesn't sound right. I mean I didn't complain for the rest of the day. (The fact that I was alone for most of it has nothing to do with my success...really.)

I took it off when I got ready for bed, and laid it on my dresser. No springing to life, no jumping and running off like a character in a Pixar movie. It just sat there waiting for morning.

Did I mention that the Survivor finale was on last night? I guess I should have, because my friend in Orlando and I were on the phone first thing this morning gossiping about Russell. (You have to watch...I couldn't possibly catch you up on that!) And, suddenly, I realized that my heart was pounding and my agitation level had taken flight!

I was complaining! And as I have realized recently, my complaining takes on a life of its own once I get going....and going....and going.

I had blown Day One before I had even put the bracelet back on!

But I wore it all day anyway, and tried desperately to redeem myself. But it goes on the opposite wrist tommorrow, and Day One begins again.

Kind of like "Groundhog Day."