Today, I was having an email conversation with an old vet school friend of mine and just needed to get some stuff off my chest. Was feeling a little edgy because of PMS cramps (and no that is not every woman’s excuse to be bitchy!). She wrote back, saying how “nice” people feel like they shouldn’t complain but that I could vent to her anytime I wanted. She is a true friend, I thought! And for including me in the “nice” category…
Sometimes it does help to let it out. It’s when I start repeating my negative stories that I realize I am not helping myself out anymore.
A Complaint Free World is an idea started by Will Bowen. His concept is that we should complain less to each other and instead speak of positive things to make the world a better place. We are supposed to wear a purple complaint free bracelet on the left wrist. If we make a complaint, the bracelet is changed over to the right wrist. If we can keep the purple band on our left arm for 21 days, we’ve made the transition into a complaint free world!
The clinic got a purple bracelet for everyone several weeks ago and I’ve been wearing mine. I really try hard to make a habit of not complaining when I am at work. But then there was the case yesterday that got to me and set me off into a short tirade in the lunch room. Bracelet quickly moved over to my right wrist. Oh well. Everyone has their days.
Don’t wear the bracelet at home though. I can’t be “nice” forever. It’s tough! That doesn’t mean that I let loose with my complaints once I leave work. The bracelet made me more aware of the things that I have been saying lately. But if I bottle it up too long, then I can feel my body tense up. Like my friend says, it’s ok to vent to a few trusted mates.
I am reminded of the time I met Frieda, from the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation up in Dawson City. She told of a wheelchair-bound woman, horribly crippled by arthritis. “This is because her true nature inside must eventually show on the outside”, said Frieda. Food for thought.
By wearing the bracelet, I notice when other people complain and how often they do it. Makes me tired to think of how much seems to be bad in their little world. However, I do believe in the idea that what I put out there is what will be reflected back to me. That doesn’t mean that I am a perpetual Pollyanna (does anyone even remember that Disney movie anymore?).
