So this is how my attempt at a complaint free week went. Prior to starting the "Complaint Free Challenge", I decided to do my homework. I googled "Complaint Free Challenge" and that's where I learned the whole enchilada. Wow! It turns out that in order to be a true "challenge" participant, you actually need to wear an official purple rubber "challenge" bracelet. Of course you could order one online for only $7.95. Step one- place your official challenge bracelet on your left wrist.
Wait a minute! My momma didn't raise no dummy (except for my brothers)! So I saved the $7.95, grabbed a rubber band from my silverware drawer, placed it on my wrist, and boom- I was in! Let's get this challenge started!
Whoa! Slow down girl! That's only step one!
Step two - after you have adorned your challenge bracelet, be prepared to "make one with it". (Well, it didn't actually say that, but I'm just being honest.) "Make one with it", because it continues to say that you must be complaint free for the next 21 days. Not just 21 days, but 21 continuous days. Should you slip up on any given day, you move the bracelet back to your other wrist and you are now back at day one.
Say what? Twenty-one continuous days? Really? So you're telling me the slightest little grumble could send me back to day one? Yep! As I said, this challenge is not for everyone- especially those who imply little thought before speaking! (Guilty!) You could actually be participating in this challenge for 245 days but still be on day one! OMG folks! Remember when I said this one week challenge could take me 21 days? Let's be honest. With this set of rules, I think I'm looking at more like a year and 22 days! Oh boy! I'm in trouble!
So, if you're wondering how my complaint free week went, here's a short synopsis:
- Day one: Being extremely aware of the challenge, I selected my words with caution. But wouldn't you know it, within minutes, my day started with a challenge. That morning a certain loved one asked me to go get his boots from the basement. My mind rambled %$#%%^*! Yet my lips stayed sealed. Upon my return from the basement, my loved one graciously said, "Oh! You didn't need to make a special trip!" Challenge in mind, I replied, "Special trip for a special person!" OMG! Did I just say that? I couldn't believe the words that just spewed from my mouth! Actually the thought of speaking like this for the next 20+ years, caused me to become a bit ill to my stomach. (I think I actually puked a little in my mouth!) By the way, I don't think puking qualifies as complaining. So that being said, the day was successful - unusually quiet, but successful.
- Day two: A dear friend called me to vent a bit. I will confess, the temptation was there to join in the verbal escape. However, I held my tongue and merely said, "Fascinating!" Hmmm- I think the word "fascinating" has become my new go-to word. It works for almost every situation. Day two was a struggle but it was a success!
- Day three: The day was going pretty good until I realized I was scheduled to go to a meeting within the next half hour. I also had planned to take along some printed documents of the research I had been conducting. So I hopped on the computer - no problem. Then I proceeded to print - no - make that attempted to print! (*^%!!) Why is it every time I want to print something, there is no paper in the printer? So I added some paper and attempted again. (%&*^ ()) Why is it every time I want to print there is no ink???? So you guessed it-- I cracked! Back to day one! Turns out that special someone is a print everything monster!!!!! And that's really not very "fascinating"! Day three - failure!
- Day four, five, six and seven: I won't bore ya. It was fail upon fail! Burnt cookies, a bad hair day, a bad episode with a scissors, lost keys, etc. were just a few of the culprits which kept me from being complain free. My colorful language embarrassed me and my loss of self-composure cost me. You guessed it - here I was back at day one!
So here I am, ten days into the challenge and I'm still on day one. "Slug Bug" has become a common event, and as a matter of fact, this bracelet is becoming a pain in the butt! (Oh no - back to day one!) Isn't that fascinating??!
