Day Two: Real time
Day One: Complaint Free Journey
When is a statement a complaint, exactly?
I moved my bracelet this morning and started Day One over again. I hoped to make it longer today than I did yesterday, having hardly made it past getting out of bed.
Its tiny bells kept me company as I got settled in one of the offices I work from, and coffee was made. Important things first, but at least I had made it out of the house this time without trashing something or someone. I have gotten good at that lately. (I now know why old people are so grouchy, because I’m one of them.)
Everyone has times in their lives when everything collapses, the walls tumbling down to block out the sun for what seems like forever. I’m in the midst of my own personal rubble right now, and there are truly negative things going on in my life. So, if I talk about them, is that considered complaining?
After my coffee was brewed, I visited with people in the office and brought them up to date on the most pressing matter. These people are empathetic and kind and good listeners, offering to lend a hand if I need it.
After I sat back down at my desk, I caught myself. Had I complained? I thought back over our conversation and really don’t remember taking my statements past the point of telling and tumbling into the realm of trashing.
So, is telling people the negative things…..the REALLY negative things….going on in your life equal to complaining? Maybe it's just that people have enough to worry about without me sharing my trials.
In his book, A Complaint Free World, Will Bowen said that if you aren’t sure if you have complained, you probably have.
So, I think Day One will be with me a little longer.
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This is great Deborah. I too am in the midst of some serious turmoil in my life and it's been so hard to not complain. If something is bugging me, I try to make my comment in such a way that it is a statement of fact, rather than saying it in a way that sounds like whining. I am trying, I make sure I spend time every day reading something inspirational to help lift my spirits. Yesterday was hard, I'd had a horrible weekend and I was ready to explode over the events of the past few days. I dropped my work and jumped on the treadmill to walk off a little frustration. Then the phone rang, and in my hurry to get to it,I jumped off the treadmill while it was still running and smacked my ankle. Now it's a little bruised and swollen. But today I am laughing about it, because I can only imagine what it must have looked like. Luckily, there was no one around to see it.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with the exploding thing! Yesterday I reached my limit of frustration and near rage, and nearly started attacking my car...meaning I was standing outside the car trying to open the door to get in and it was unnecessarily locked. I nearly started kicking and punching it. I had to literally hold myself back to keep from hurting myself. That's pretty crazy. And, as with you, luckily no one saw it!
ReplyDeleteHi, This is Will Bowen. Thanks for writing about this. I like what you had to share.
ReplyDelete