Can you avoid complaining for 24 hours?

Last evening I had the privilege of speaking to a group of people in the Eugene, Oregon area about The Law of Achievement. The talk was based on my book by the same name and the purpose was to offer a shift in perception as to what achievement means.

Being driven by traditional definitions, we can often lose site of the spiritual aspects of achievement. Things such as joy, happiness, love, doing for others, being in service and looking at what is right rather than what is wrong in any given situation.

Often when we talk of achievement we equate it with outward evidence such as awards, money, fame, recognition and status. In reality, you can have all of that but if you do not feel complete inside, what do you really have?

As I was sharing my thoughts with this intimate group last evening something that came up was to take the next 24 hours and complain about nothing. Nothing.....

As easy as this might appear on the surface in practice it can be a completely different experience. Almost impossible for some.

The true test is when we commit to this in every area....with our spouse or significant other, our children, our neighbors, our community, world affairs, the economy, the person who may cut us off on the freeway, the homeless person we may think an annoyance, our pets for any messes they may create, and on and on.

If you are willing to try this you might be amazed at how subtle complaining can be. An off handed remark, a mumbling under one's breath, a justified anger or simply a thought that we obviously know better how a situation should be handled than the person who is handling it.

If you are open to the experience I  invite you to make a commitment for 24 hours that you will complain about nothing. The minute you find you have complained, start the 24 hours over.

This process is about totally honesty with yourself. Sure, others may not hear the chatter in your head or the silent criticism of something, but you know what your truth is.

I would love to hear back from anyone who is willing to try this and have you leave comments of your experience. What did you discover about yourself? What did you learn about the energy of complaining? How did things change in the 24 hours period? What were your insights, if any.

Have a blessed day.
Kathleen Gage

Comments

[Chantal Beaupre]

Hello Kathleen,

Not only I commit myself to try this Complaint Free Day challenge and get back to the Daily Awareness community with comments, but I invite you to join me in the Complaint Free World movement, founded by Will Bowen.

You can find more here:
http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

In the meantime, here's a little bit of what the Complaint Free World movement is about:

"Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life you will enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. The Complaint Free program helps you set a trap for your own negativity and redirect your mind towards a more positive and rewarding life."

Warmly,
Chantal

[Kathleen Gage]

Hello Chantal,

Thank you for your comments and posting the website for Complaint Free World. http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/
I ordered some bracelets and look forward to giving some to my friends and also wearing one as a reminder to be complaint free.

It's amazing how much nicer the day goes when we are complaint free.

Kathleen Gage

[OLINeBooks]

Just a quick note to inform you that this article was also included in the October Blog Carnival of Christian Family Information Exchange. Thank you and feel free to continue sending your articles for each month's new carnival.
http://olinepublishing.blogspot.com/2008/10/its-that-time-again-october-blog.html

[Kathleen Gage]

Thank you for including this post in the October Blog Carnival of Christian Family Information Exchange.

Blessings
Kathleen Gage