My apologies for the brief absence. Absolute madness reigns supreme here, but I cannot complain.
Which brings me to the point of this post.
I’m issuing a challenge to my dear readers, and it is this: for the next 24 hours, make your best attempt not to complain about anything, and not to criticize anyone.
Do not complain.
Do not criticize.
For 24 hours.
If you fall short, simply make mental (or in my case, physical) note of it, and endeavor to improve. See how little you can complain or criticize in a 24 hour period.
I make this challenge for several reasons: first, I’m doing it myself (since this morning) and it’s killing me. When I’m in a mood, I could nit-pick the Sistine Chapel ceiling. I can criticize anyone or anything, often with justification. But that’s easy: people are human and the world is imperfect.
So what’s to be gained by criticizing or complaining? Nothing.
And there is the possibility of gain, as well: we can begin to take responsibility for things that are not right–or the best they can be–in our lives and in the world. We can get to work and improve them, or we can acknowledge and accept them.
All without complaining. All with criticizing.
The things that are wrong with other people are usually not things we can change, unless the other people in question are our young children. Even then it’s 50/50.
The things that are wrong with the world are sometimes things we can change, but often they are beyond our control.
The wisdom to know the difference, as the ancient prayer articulates, is where our real challenge lies.
If we stop complaining and criticizing, we have more energy to focus on what we can do to make things better. We can also, perhaps, get closer to happiness through acceptance.
Please know: I’m suffering as I embark upon this challenge. Part of the reason I’m asking you to join me is that, well, misery loves company.
Oh, yeah, and maybe we’ll make the world a better place, one less complaint at a time.
- BGT
What a challenge, but the rewards are handsome! This is just what I need to hear and do, thanks Byron.
May you keep going no matter how strong the temptations to do otherwise.
I’m already bitching about it, but I’ll do it.
Hahahaha! Thanks! – BGT
Seriously, brain surgery is easier…and, literally, my next-door neighbor is a U.S. Navy neurosurgeon, and he thinks brain surgery is easier. So that’s confirmed.
Greetings Byron,
What a co-incidence. Just two weeks ago I decided that no one else appears to report or do anything about out-of-order public matters and instead of me continuing to complain about things, I would initiate reports to the council using their online portal.
I set myself an initial target of ten faults/situations. When I hit ten, my next goal will be twenty five, and then ambitiously, fifty. I am talking about water leaks in the road, broken man-hole covers, electrical switchgear boxes with doors standing wide open, potholes etc etc. So far I have two items resolved. An underground water leak and a fire hydrant valve with a broken cover/hatch located on a blind-bend in the road. There is an embankment in front of my house that belongs to the council. I am taking care of of the foliage on it and have stopped complaining. Neither the council nor my fellow residents lift a finger. Nor are they likely to.
It reminds me of something one of your late presidents said in the early sixties. ‘Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what (you) can do for your country.’
Remember him ?
David.
I just got my power turned on this morning and took my first hot shower in 5 days, so I’m finding it hard to complain about anything. We’ll see how long it lasts!
This is an incredible challenge/project. I also wish to point out two other behaviors that I feel are just as sinister as criticizing. The first one is called Schadenfreude, which is deriving pleasure from another person’s misfortune. The second is revenge or thoughts of revenge. I have a teenage son, and this is a topic of discussion at the dinner table. The key to my happiness is picking out several hobbies or learning projects and immersing myself in them; I am too busy to allow negative behavior to creep into my life.