Stop Complaining--Start Complimenting

A worldwide phenomenon has taken place to get people to stop complaining. Rev. Will Bowen in Kansas City, MO created purple bracelets and asked members of his congregation to wear the bracelets with the word "spirit" because "he noticed how dispiriting it is to complain all the time."  His congregation took his message to heart and the word spread.  After creating the not-for-profit A Complaint Free World and a website, more than 5 million bracelets have been shipped out. 

It works like this:  When wearers complains, they are to switch the bracelet to the other wrist and do this for 21 days which is supposedly the amount of time to form a habit.  According to Rev. Bowen, "We are so busy focusing on what is wrong with the world, we are not focusing on what we want it to be."  In his Easter sermon, his theme was that "your thoughts create your world and your world indicates what you are thinking."

A theme I have emphasized in leadership courses for years is similar.  Our beliefs influence our thoughts, our thoughts influence our actions.  So it all starts with what we are thinking.  That is why I believe an attitude of gratitude is so important.  If we focus on what is good, then we look for ways to express our gratitude often by thanking people or complimenting them.  If we want to feel better, then we need to stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others.  Perhaps I should start selling gratitude bracelets and raise money for a cause.