No more complaining!

The holidays are upon us. Between now and Christmas, we’ll be inundated with advertising that pleads, grovels, and wails: “Buy! Buy! Buy!” Lots of people will whip out credit cards and purchase items that they can’t actually afford but want to be able to give to someone they care about. And there will be lines, delays, errors, and omissions. Things won’t go right. There will be fender-benders and harsh words. And stress. Plenty of calories, expanded waist lines, and temptations galore. However, there is more to the holidays than all that.

This is the season of Advent. A time of preparation and waiting for a joyous event. And so in the spirit of Advent I have two items to share with you, early gifts for you to enjoy over the coming days.

First, from my friend and fellow coach Julia Fabris McBride, a lovely Advent calendar. Unlike the calendars of your childhood, this one does not contain chocolates (drat!). Instead, you get 31 lovely questions for reflection and setting intentions. Julia is one of the most thoughtful people I know—she’s put together many lovely images and gentle questions to stimulate your thinking.

 And second, an invitation to join me on a journey to a Complaint-free World. At church this morning, Father John explained the idea behind wearing one of these purple bracelets: commit to stop complaining. Every time you catch yourself breaking your commitment, simply move the bracelet to the opposite wrist.

I am—gulp—taking the pledge to go 21 days without complaining. Not a world of judgment, criticism, gossip, or whining will escape my lips for 21 straight days. Of course, it may take a very long time before I am able to go 21 straight days without whinging. You have my permission to point out to me when I need to move my bracelet to the other arm. And I’ll keep you posted on how I do.

If you decide to take the pledge too, send me a line and we can be mutually supportive. I know I’ll need all the help I can get.

Comments

[Brian Darnell]

I am recommitting to intentional greatness and making this commitment with you. I have the advent calendar on my daily checklist and I have ordered my purple bracelet. We are in this together Tara!

[Tara Rodden Robinson]

Awesome! That's great, Brian. Thanks for joining me. You ROCK.
Best wishes,
Tara