A Complaint Free World

Here’s just one more exercise that goes to prove just how powerful our minds are, and how unaware most of us are of the impact our thoughts have on our lives. A year ago I was introduced to “A Complaint Free World”, a non-profit organization founded by Reverend Will Bowen in 2006 whose goal is to “positively transform the consciousness of the world”. To do this, Reverend Bowen created a purple silicon bracelet that helps people “monitor their success at eliminating complaining from their daily lives”. The program involves wearing the bracelet on either wrist for 21 consecutive days without complaining, criticizing, or judging. Every time the bearer verbalizes a complaint, he or she must remove the bracelet, put it on the opposite wrist, and re-start the 21-day program. The program lasts 21 days because studies have shown that it takes 21 consecutive days to form a new habit, although most people complete the challenge in four to ten months. There are currently 6,103,942 Complaint Free bracelets being worn around the world in 106 countries.

You might be asking yourself, why is it important to stop complaining? Reverend Bowen explains that complaining is damaging because “it keeps us focused on the problem, so we don’t consider the possible solutions.” One of the most harmful aspects of complaining is that most of us complain constantly (15-30 times a day) and are completely unaware of it. In general, people complain for five reasons: “to get attention, to avoid taking action, to pre-excuse poor performance, and to control each other”. Reverend Bowen describes the three areas of life that complaining damages: physical health, emotional health and relationships, and careers.

Complaining damages our physical health because our minds and bodies are interconnected. When we complain about our health we are literally telling our bodies that we are ill, even if we physically are not. People who complain are weakening their own immune systems and attracting more health problems. A good example of this can be found in a story Reverend Bowen shared about a woman from his congregation who suffered a mild stroke. The Reverend went to visit her in the hospital and before going into her room he asked her doctor how she was doing. The doctor told him that she had suffered a mild stroke but was doing well and would be home in three days. Overcome with relief, the Reverend entered her room but the woman in the bed did not look like someone who was going home in three days. He asked her how she was feeling and the woman replied, “I’m dying.” He reassured her that the doctor said she was fine and would be going home in three days, but her response was remained that she was dying and that they needed to discuss her funeral arrangements. Ten days later, Reverend Bowen officiated at her funeral.

Complaining damages our emotional health and relationships the most consistently. Studies have found that a lot of the time the reason why married couples continue to have problems is because “they complain about each other, and to each other.” Once they learn no to complain, they describe their marriage as being “on a constant honeymoon.” Another study has shown that people who complain about work, school, etc., are “at a higher risk for depression and suicide.”

Complaining damages our careers starting in positions of management. In any work environment, it is very common to find a manager who constantly complains to the employees they are leading. By doing this, the management teaches the employees to focus on the problem and not the solution. Reverend Bowen explains how people in a position of authority or management need to be positive because “morale trickles down the levels”.

In the end, what A Complaint Free World is trying to teach is how to develop healthy communication skills with yourself and with others. By wearing the bracelet, it makes you more aware of your thoughts and words. Once you stop verbalizing complaints, your brain stops thinking negatively. The Reverend describes the brain as a “manufacturer” and the mouth as the “customer”. If the customer “stops buying the product, the manufacturer has to re-tool” and come up with a new product that the consumer will buy. You cannot complain your way to health, happiness, and success. Instead, name what you want out of life, and what is already good in your life and you will attract more of it.


Website: www.acomplaintfreeworld.org