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My meditation teacher recently suggested a fun challenge.
Can you go a full 24 hours without complaining?
I read it and immediately knew it was a challenge for me. I know I get caught up in complaining or criticizing and I NEVER feel better afterwards. If you read this challenge and had any sort of reaction towards it (instant resistance, tightness in your body, skepticism, fear, or all of the above)..then let me personally invite you into this challenge! And just so you know, I felt several of these physical reactions as well…which is exactly why I knew this challenge was for me.
The Rules are Simple:
The only rule is that you can’t complain verbally or written for 24 hours. No expressing dissatisfaction or criticizing either. And if you slip up, your 24 hours resets.
See how many days it takes you to go 24 hours straight without complaining. The benefits will be self-evident.
Here are some tips to get started:
1. Get support! I asked my husband to do it with me so that we held each other accountable.
2. Get family members to call you out. I told my kids they would get a small reward every time they kindly called out my complaining.
3. Let go of expectations. Take this challenge as it comes. Learn from each mistake you make. Don’t worry how many days it takes you to accomplish it.
My Results
In my practice of vulnerability, I thought I’d share my results with you.
Sunday, 11/13 7pm – I started my challenge
Monday, 11/14 3pm – restart
Tuesday, 11/15 12pm – restart. 3:30pm – restart
Wednesday, 11/16 10am – restart, 10pm – restart
Thursday, 11/17, 2pm – restart, 6pm restart
Friday, 11/18 6pm I DID IT!
As you can see, going 24 hours without complaining isn’t easy. It took me 5 days to do it. And now that I finally achieved it, I’m starting over and it’s been a bumpy start. But what I realize during the challenge was that I am more present, more aware, and more positive. Instead of slipping into the easy complaint or judgement, it forces me to flip it into something positive or just let it go.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving week and the energy of gratitude penetrating the air, I encourage you to start this challenge today. It just might make your holiday gathering more joyful that ever before. When we focus on the positive, life brings more abundance to us. We just have to choose to recognize it when it’s right in front of us.
I would love to hear from all of you who choose to try this challenge. Let me know how long it takes you and what you discover about yourself.
May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with joy, peace and happiness. May you choose to see the good in all you have. May you let go of comparison and self-judgement. And may you be a shining example of love and light.