Day 101

Day 101: Real Time
Day 10: 21 Day Complaint Free Journey



So, here I am, prepared to succeed as I enter my second 100 days attempting to be complaint-free over the span of three weeks. Will Bowen, the creator of this project, picked that number because research into human behavior indicates it takes about that long to cement a new habit into the framework of our lives.

I finally bought a copy of Will's book for myself. I've practically worn out the library's copy, and I knew I needed to keep it closer to me as I walk this path. For those of you who aren't familiar with the process, here it is from the book:

1. Order a bracelet from www.acomplaintfreeworld.org or use any talisman that works for you. It can be something you wear or maybe a stone you carry in your pocket. Something easily manipulated....because you WILL manipulate it!

2. Put your talisman or bracelet on your person somewhere to start the process.

3. When you catch yourself complaining, gossiping, or criticizing, move the piece to the other wrist (or other pocket) and begin again.

4. Stay with it, because the average time to success if 4 - 8 MONTHS.

Yes....MONTHS. At 101 days, I'm still within the "average" range. And I didn't break that chain of success yesterday. I spent some time at one of my offices, visited the other, had lunch with a dear friend to catch up with our respective lives, and then worked out at the gym.


But I didn't complain. I intentionally controlled myself on a couple of occasions, I do remember that. I almost dropped off the cliff of complaints at lunch, because my friend and I hadn't seen each other in way too long. The tendency is to include everything that has happened since the last time we saw someone. But in my case, and probably yours, too, some of what happened is decidely unpleasant and has already caused me to break my chain of noncomplaining days. More than once, actually. Why even go there, then? I purposely did NOT talk about one particular situation from the past few months, thus relieving me of that burden. And I didn't burden her with it, either.

I have found as I've gotten older (I do hate that word!), my energy flags significantly in the afternoons. I've learned to pace myself by retreating to my back patio and I usually end my days just like I begin them....communing with the birds and squirrels who have gotten used to me spying on them as I sip a glass of wine and read philosophy and trashy novels. Go figure.


Day 10 beckons.