“If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." - Maya AngelouI ordered all the Playfriends a gift off the internet the other day. Not so much a gift, really, cause it was free, but something interesting if they want to make use of it. Last week when we de-funkified, the topic of a book called the Divine Matrix came up. The gist was that everything is connected and your attitude toward the world determines how your life goes. If you think you’re going to fail, you will – that sort of thing. I know I’m not the only negative ninny in this bunch, so the other day, I heard something interesting on the radio that caught my attention.
A church in Kansas City, MO has started a campaign for a “complaint free” world. You can check them out at http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/. The pastor of the church challenged his parishioners to go 21 days without the negative whining and complaining most of us do on a daily basis. They each wore a purple bracelet and if they complained at any point, they had to move the bracelet to the other arm and start their 21 days over again.
If you haven’t heard about this yet, you’re in the minority. It’s sweeping radio and television news programs like the Today show. There was an article on him in the recent People magazine. They’re going to be on Oprah. Apparently, this is a life changing experience for those that are able to make it through the 21 days. By putting only positive energy out into the world, they’re happier, more positive people. Imagine that!
If you go onto their website, you can order the bracelets free. They don’t charge a dime, although they do give you the option of making a donation to the church either via paypal or with the envelope included in the package with your bracelet. I donated enough to cover the cost of the bracelets and shipping. So far, they’ve had orders for over 323,000 bracelets. Wow.
I’m not giving the bracelets out with the expectation that everyone use them, but I, myself am going to give it a shot. I’ll probably have to start over seven or eight times (the first day) but if this will help me garner more positive vibes in the universe, I’m all for it! I’ll let you all know how it goes.
In honor of that, I’m declaring today Fabulous Friday. Got something great going on that you’d like to share? Please do! It’s Friday, there has to be something good, even if its just because the weekend is upon us! :)
Oh, and yesterday's blog winner is Pat! Email your info to instigator@writingplayground.com with "Blog Winner" in the subject line to claim your prize!
SP
Writing Challenge: 174/350 = 49% complete!
SP
Writing Challenge: 174/350 = 49% complete!
20 comments:
Thanks again. I sent my info.
And yes, Friday is always a wonderful thing. Getting together with friends this weekend.
So are you saying we whine too much? Or that you're just tired of listening to it?
I'll give it a shot, but if there's a complaint emergency--sonething that has to be complained about that moment!?!
Hooray for Fabulous Friday!
I have something good to share. One of the magazines I submit to has told us all to re-submit anything we sent prior to last November because there was a change in editorial staff and apparently they tossed the slush pile. So four stories of mine now have a new lease on life. Yay!
As for complaining -- I'm all for reducing the amount of it. But what defines complaining. Yesterday the table I ordered arrived with damage. Actually it was the replacement table for one that arrived 2 weeks ago with damage. Was it complaining to tell the company to please just refund my money because I had no faith they could send a third table and have it arrive in one piece? I was nice when I told them and thanked them for their willingness to ship table #3. But enough is enough.
I think if you have to ask what complaining she's talking about, then you don't have a problem. :) Does this mean I don't get to complain about the stopped up drain I have that is going to require a plumber?
I, on the other hand, understand completely. Hi, I'm Angel, and I'm a compulsive whiner. Honestly, I don't know if I could make it through 21 days without complaining, though I've tried over the past few years to change that.
One idea that I've entertained quite a bit is that complaining is an alternative to action. I complain instead of finding a solution to the problem. So I try to tell myself to look for the solution first, then only complain if it is something outside of my control. :)
I think the idea behind this is probably not to be fake happy when you are miserable, but to really evaluate why we complain and what we complain about. I'm all for evaluation and an attempt to be more positive in a real, uplifting way.
I think this is an excellent idea! Thanks SP.
And a fabulous Friday it is :-) I got a revision request yesterday. I'm meeting friends for dinner tonight. I have my monthly RWA meeting tomorrow where I will see friends again. Sunday I'm shopping for our trip to the beach. If I think hard enough on these things maybe the headache I have from staying up until 1:30 to read a book will go away :-) But it's a really good book so entirely worth the pain.
Instigator
Way to go on the revision request, Instigator! Good luck with the 4 articles, PM!
Complaining is only a state of mind and like all habits can be changed. The bracelets are a cool idea but are they going to be like wrapping a string around your finger to remind you not to forget something when you forgot why you put the string there to begin with? :-) Let's hope not.
The key to thinking positive is... be thankful for all things. See the bright side of the coin, not the dents, the rough edges or blurred image. See the coin as it looked when it came straight from the mint. When times look dark, rub the coin, make it sparkle. We can do that by reciting positive, affirmative words that will, in fact, foreshadow our future.
Look at the mirror and repeat after me: I'm smart, I'm good-looking and darn it, people like me! (Al Franken)
Kathy
Yes today is Fabulous Friday and my birthday to boot. It's going to be a fun night having people over tonight for a card party. Also be enjoying a great birthday weekend!
Happy Birthday, Theresa!
I'm sorry! I spelled it wrong. Let's try again:
Happy birthday, Teresa!
thanks so much for the heads up on the bracelets; today is Friday and it is sunny out, woohoo!!!
Happy Birthday Teresa!
I guess the point is not to fake it when you're miserable but to reframe it. I don't think calling to cancel the order is considered whining unless you yelled and complained about it - which you didn't. I think its more to mentally say, yeah, they shipped that table twice and it kept getting banged up, but now this gives me an opportunity to have a fun day furniture shopping with a friend. Or something like that. I'll find a better one somewhere else sort of attitude.
This is going to be hard for me. I'll admit it. I'll be amazed if I can get through the 21 days, honestly. Hopefully no bad contest reviews or rejections will come during my 21 days...
It's Friday!! :)
SP
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Being the natural born cynic I am, I honestly don't know if I could go 21 minutes without a negative type thought or something. But it is worth a try, because lately I have been evaluating what I want in the years to come, and I know that my current job is not it!
Very cool. Sounds a bit like 'The Secret' that was all the buzz a few weeks back.
Happy Birthday Teresa!
My good news is a request for a full from an agent. Once I finish polishing the ms (fingers crossed for next week) I get to email it in. Woohoo!!
Happy Bday, Teresa.
Make lemonade! Positive thinking has to be good for the body and soul.
Happy Birthday to Teresa, and a Squeee to Lis on her request!!
I'm packing books and stuff.
Moving to FL in April or May.
And I might be going to the booksigning in Houston!
YAY!
Hope you had a great birthday, Teresa.
And just the fact that I dont have to work makes it a good weekend. Nothing special planned.
Thanks for the info, SP, I ordered ten of the bracelets to share with others. What a great idea! The Divine Matrix reminds me of The Secret, which says in so many words that we are ruled by the law of attraction (which, like the law of gravity is a law of nature) and if we think bad thoughts or have bad attitudes, we attract more of the same. I believe in the power of positive thinking and really work at trying to be positive. I don't use the word "work" lightly. Sometimes it's really hard to be positive. Several years ago I was betrayed by someone I considered a close friend and I was very bitter about it. I carried a truck load of anger and resentment toward this person, so much so that I became physically ill. Even the sight of him upset me. Finally, a good friend told me that my bitterness was only hurting me -- he wasn't even aware of my feelings. She told me that instead of thinking bad thoughts of him (And honey, I had some really bad thoughts about the man) I should pray for him and ask that good things come to him. I'd like to say that I immediately took her advice, but I didn't. However, I did keep thinking about what she said and one day I realized she was right. I was able to let go of the baggage I'd been carrying around and my life began to get better that very day. Since then I have dedicated myself to try to think positively. (I do backslide from time to time, but hey, I'm a work in progress.)
urjxliynI too am sending for some bracelets. I have been told by a friend that I complain too much and she is right (even though of course I think I have good reason lol). I come from a family of complainers and it's going to be very hard to stop but I am going to give it a very serious try. Thanks.
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