I've taken up the challenge...

A while ago I posted the following update on Facebook...
"I'm taking the 21 day challenge to a complaint free world (no complaining, gossiping or unhealthy criticizing). Put on my complaint-free bracelet this morning..."

A few of my friends have asked me how it's going.

It is going better than I expected it to go.
It's going differently than I expected it to go.

The idea of the "complaint free challenge" comes from a book I read.  The idea is that whenever someone wearing the "complaint free" bracelet finds themself complaining, criticizing or gossiping, they are to switch their bracelet onto the other wrist.  The goal, I believe, is to raise awareness of how much negative energy we are putting into the world.   I don't know about you... but I know that for me, when I am habitually complaining, criticizing or gossiping (and it's funny how often those three go hand in hand), I find myself feeling less joyful... less loving... less compassionate.

My journey is a journey towards greater, more intentional love and so this felt like a good step along that path.  And it was working.. I did notice myself pausing several times in the day to check in with myself before speaking.   The questions I ask myself are simple (and, big shock, inspired from something I read by Desmond Tutu).. "is it true"... "is it kind"... "is it necessary".  Often I refrain from saying something I might otherwise have blurted out... this is good.

HOWEVER.. as with most things in my life I found myself taking it to extreme... getting frustrated with myself whenever I needed to switch the bracelet and also frustrated with the number of times I was compelled to complain but had to bite my tongue.  The voice of harsh judgment was making its way into my awareness... crushing out the voice of compassion and love (the very reason I was doing this in the first place).


I realized that the very act of changing my bracelet had become a form of self-criticism.  I needed to change my bracelet because I changed my bracelet.  I could see how this was going to be far too time consuming (and far less helpful) than I had anticipated.

I realized this morning that the challenge I've taken is incomplete.  While I continue to think it is a good thing to become aware and challenge the negativity I put into the world, I think it is even more important to notice, become more aware of and give thanks for all of the times I witness and participate in the goodness - in the love, compassion, joy - that is being put into the world every single day... I would even say every moment of every single day.

The bracelet I constructed myself for this challenge has those famous letters "WWJD" on them.  I don't think Jesus gossiped, complained or unnecessarily criticized those around him.   I do think he displayed radical acts of love, kindness, generosity, selflessness, compassion..

So I'm taking up a new challenge.  It will be my "WWJD" challenge.   I will continue to notice when I feel compelled to complain, gossip or criticize.  But I will also work to become more aware at all of the ways that I witness and participate in goodness.  The reality is that I, and most everyone I know, commit far more acts of goodness than we do of ungoodness (it's my blog and this is a word!).  I believe that the ungoodness will naturally be pushed to the background of our lives when we are better able to be aware of the amazing power of God's love at work through us.

Go. Be. Love. The world needs you.  The world needs all of us.