Day 14: Real Time
Day One: 21 day complaint free journey
I had occasion to visit a friend and her brother (who also happens to be my cats’ vet) at a beautiful home on the St. John’s River in Green Cove Springs yesterday.
I explained my purple bracelet to them, which led to a discussion about complaining.
So, what did we do? Complained about OTHER people who complain. His cats, however, basked in the sun, never once joining in the conversation.
I’m humbled every day by the difficulty of this journey I have chosen for myself. I never expected it to be this hard.
Which proves how badly I need to stay the course.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Day 13
Day 13: Real Time
Day One: 21 day complaint free journey
My bracelet moved several times yesterday.
Let me rephrase that: I had to move my bracelet several times. After all, I’m the one who complains, so I have to accept the responsibility. That’s a large part of this journey, I think.
Without complaining about what I was complaining about, my mom and I went to a local open air arts market yesterday. Suffice it to say there were a lot of people there, it is late May in Florida, and many of those attending this event brought their dogs. :)
I’ll keep trying, though
Day One: 21 day complaint free journey
My bracelet moved several times yesterday.
Let me rephrase that: I had to move my bracelet several times. After all, I’m the one who complains, so I have to accept the responsibility. That’s a large part of this journey, I think.
Without complaining about what I was complaining about, my mom and I went to a local open air arts market yesterday. Suffice it to say there were a lot of people there, it is late May in Florida, and many of those attending this event brought their dogs. :)
I’ll keep trying, though
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Day 12
Day 12: Real Time
Day 1: 21 day complaint free journey
Day 12
Day One
I'm still on Day One but I think I'm seeing some progress. My head is engaged a bit earlier than my mouth MOST of the time.
I decided yesterday, though, that IF I can stop the complaint before it comes out, I will replace it with a positive affirmation of something. Anything.
I think my need to speak is so strong now (after years of not speaking at all, in fact I went all through college without ever joining in a discussion) that I simply HAVE to say something.
But since my habit has become to complain, I must fulfill my need to express myself by complimenting or praising instead.
Keep your fingers crossed for me. Let’s see how it works today.
Day 1: 21 day complaint free journey
Day 12
Day One
I'm still on Day One but I think I'm seeing some progress. My head is engaged a bit earlier than my mouth MOST of the time.
I decided yesterday, though, that IF I can stop the complaint before it comes out, I will replace it with a positive affirmation of something. Anything.
I think my need to speak is so strong now (after years of not speaking at all, in fact I went all through college without ever joining in a discussion) that I simply HAVE to say something.
But since my habit has become to complain, I must fulfill my need to express myself by complimenting or praising instead.
Keep your fingers crossed for me. Let’s see how it works today.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Day 11
Day 11: Real Time
Day 1: 21 day complaint free jounry
My bracelet finally arrived in the mail during this past week when I was distracted with my dad’s passing.
Actually, I ordered ten bracelets and have several folks who asked for one when they heard about my own 21-day journey to become complaint-free.
I hope they realize what they’re in for. Because I wasn’t.
Yesterday was hard. I spoke at my dad’s funeral, and that was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. It’s not the speaking in public thing that was daunting for me. After all, that’s what I do for a living.
It was standing in front of people I know, stripped emotionally bare. That’s not something I have ever done, and it was humbling. But, my dad deserved to have people who loved him stand up for his particular brand of quiet devotion.
Was I complaint-free, though, as I vowed to be?
Unfortunately not. But do you know what I complained about, before I even realized I had done it?
In the midst of the significance of this event, I was kvetching about details that didn’t matter. At one point on the way to the cemetery, I even heard myself utter condemnations about city government in our town.
How petty. How unimportant. Shallow.
Human. But I can do better. We all can.
In honor of my father this Memorial Day weekend, a Navy veteran of 23 years, as well as those dear to you, let’s remember all those who have served our country, willingly and with valor.
Thanks, Daddy.
Day 1: 21 day complaint free jounry
My bracelet finally arrived in the mail during this past week when I was distracted with my dad’s passing.
Actually, I ordered ten bracelets and have several folks who asked for one when they heard about my own 21-day journey to become complaint-free.
I hope they realize what they’re in for. Because I wasn’t.
Yesterday was hard. I spoke at my dad’s funeral, and that was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. It’s not the speaking in public thing that was daunting for me. After all, that’s what I do for a living.
It was standing in front of people I know, stripped emotionally bare. That’s not something I have ever done, and it was humbling. But, my dad deserved to have people who loved him stand up for his particular brand of quiet devotion.
Was I complaint-free, though, as I vowed to be?
Unfortunately not. But do you know what I complained about, before I even realized I had done it?
In the midst of the significance of this event, I was kvetching about details that didn’t matter. At one point on the way to the cemetery, I even heard myself utter condemnations about city government in our town.
How petty. How unimportant. Shallow.
Human. But I can do better. We all can.
In honor of my father this Memorial Day weekend, a Navy veteran of 23 years, as well as those dear to you, let’s remember all those who have served our country, willingly and with valor.
Thanks, Daddy.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Day 10
Day 10: Real time
Day 2: 21-day Complaint Free Journey
I’ve always believed in pre-emptive strikes. Or as cowboys used to say, “Headin’ em off at the pass.”
In more modern, less militaristic terms, I deal with many problems from a proactive stance.
In other words, I’m a bit of a control freak.
In listening to Will Bowen read his book again, I picked up this time on how many families find themselves sitting in silence as they proceed through the 21-day attempt to be complaint free. They discovered that, unless they were complaining, they had nothing to say to one another.
I was beginning to think it was me. In my earlier life, I was a quiet person who didn’t feel comfortable speaking my mind. I got over that around age 35 and often remark that I haven’t stopped talking since then.
So, for me to purposely refrain from talking is rather disconcerting. But that is what I’ve found myself doing as I take this journey. Something will be about ready to pop out and then I pull it back when I realize it is a complaint of some kind…..and there are many kinds, aren’t there?
We will bury my father today. Such an occasion might lend itself to negativity to those who are inclined to complain, as I have been lately.
I vow this morning to strike any complaints from my comments BEFORE I verbalize them; I'll head 'em off at the pass as I attempt to be proactive in my journey to 21 days of being complaint free.
I will try to move through this day with grace and dignity as we honor a man who lived the same way. I will control my negativity as an homage to him and to the fact that we really don’t have much to complain about when we put it all in perspective.
Day 2: 21-day Complaint Free Journey
I’ve always believed in pre-emptive strikes. Or as cowboys used to say, “Headin’ em off at the pass.”
In more modern, less militaristic terms, I deal with many problems from a proactive stance.
In other words, I’m a bit of a control freak.
In listening to Will Bowen read his book again, I picked up this time on how many families find themselves sitting in silence as they proceed through the 21-day attempt to be complaint free. They discovered that, unless they were complaining, they had nothing to say to one another.
I was beginning to think it was me. In my earlier life, I was a quiet person who didn’t feel comfortable speaking my mind. I got over that around age 35 and often remark that I haven’t stopped talking since then.
So, for me to purposely refrain from talking is rather disconcerting. But that is what I’ve found myself doing as I take this journey. Something will be about ready to pop out and then I pull it back when I realize it is a complaint of some kind…..and there are many kinds, aren’t there?
We will bury my father today. Such an occasion might lend itself to negativity to those who are inclined to complain, as I have been lately.
I vow this morning to strike any complaints from my comments BEFORE I verbalize them; I'll head 'em off at the pass as I attempt to be proactive in my journey to 21 days of being complaint free.
I will try to move through this day with grace and dignity as we honor a man who lived the same way. I will control my negativity as an homage to him and to the fact that we really don’t have much to complain about when we put it all in perspective.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Day 9
Day 9: Real Time
Day 1: 21 Day Complaint Free Journey
I read recently that spirit is in the details. Well, the details did me in. I had to move my bracelet several times.
My ear infection defeated me, both physically and mentally. I’ll just say that it’s better now and I can focus again.
After all, to say any more would be complaining, wouldn’t it?
For those of you who need a reminder, here is what Will Bowen, author of A Complaint Free World, says about the journey:
About 20 years ago, I read a book that said it takes 21 days for a hen’s egg to hatch and, ironically, it also takes 21 days of a person doing a new behavior for it to become a habit. We’ll challenge everyone to put the bracelet on either arm and try to go 21 consecutive days without complaining. If they catch themselves complaining, we’ll encourage them to move the bracelet to the other wrist and begin again....The average person takes 4 to 8 months to successfully make 21 days.
Oh, boy……I'm in for a long ride!
Day 1: 21 Day Complaint Free Journey
I read recently that spirit is in the details. Well, the details did me in. I had to move my bracelet several times.
My ear infection defeated me, both physically and mentally. I’ll just say that it’s better now and I can focus again.
After all, to say any more would be complaining, wouldn’t it?
For those of you who need a reminder, here is what Will Bowen, author of A Complaint Free World, says about the journey:
About 20 years ago, I read a book that said it takes 21 days for a hen’s egg to hatch and, ironically, it also takes 21 days of a person doing a new behavior for it to become a habit. We’ll challenge everyone to put the bracelet on either arm and try to go 21 consecutive days without complaining. If they catch themselves complaining, we’ll encourage them to move the bracelet to the other wrist and begin again....The average person takes 4 to 8 months to successfully make 21 days.
Oh, boy……I'm in for a long ride!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Day 8
Day 8: Real Time
Day 4: 21 day complaint free journey
Funeral arrangements and an ear infection.
And I made it through Day 4!
We went to the funeral home to make the arrangements for my dad's services. The beauty of pre-arrangements was proven today. My mom and dad had been paying on the pre-need contract for years, and it made things immeasureably easier. Also, he will be buried with full military honors in the new veterans cemetery here in our town, and that expense was paid for beginning when he enlisted to serve in WW II. He retired after 23 years in the Navy.
On to topic two: I am thankful there are 24 hour urgent care clinics available nearby, as I'm visiting one within the hour. Enough said.
Who would have thought that the harder things get the easier it would be to remain complaint free? Or maybe it's just me.
I'll check in with you later!
Day 4: 21 day complaint free journey
Funeral arrangements and an ear infection.
And I made it through Day 4!
We went to the funeral home to make the arrangements for my dad's services. The beauty of pre-arrangements was proven today. My mom and dad had been paying on the pre-need contract for years, and it made things immeasureably easier. Also, he will be buried with full military honors in the new veterans cemetery here in our town, and that expense was paid for beginning when he enlisted to serve in WW II. He retired after 23 years in the Navy.
On to topic two: I am thankful there are 24 hour urgent care clinics available nearby, as I'm visiting one within the hour. Enough said.
Who would have thought that the harder things get the easier it would be to remain complaint free? Or maybe it's just me.
I'll check in with you later!
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