What would your life be like if you had nothing to complain about? Pretty amazing, right?

Most of us have our problems and our complaints about them, and typically we look for someone or something to rescue us from those things that bother us. But, what if we can eliminate them by ourselves?

What if all it takes is .... not complaining???

Recently, a client of mine introduced me to a great book with a great message and a great program. The book is called A Complaint Free World, by Will Bowen. His message is that our thoughts create our life experiences, and our words are a reflection of our thinking. This wasn't news to me and it is probably not news to you either. It is what he does with this knowledge that is life-changing.

The Complaint Free program is this: 21 days without complaining. When you complain, you start over at Day 1. Keep going, keep starting over, until you complete 21 days in a row. It takes most people an average of 4 to 6 months to accomplish this feat.

I can see why -- it took me seven tries to get past Day 1! Not that I complain a lot, but it only takes one. Complaint free means complaint free. I started the program only recently, so I still have a way to go. Thus far, it has been an enlightening journey to see how quickly complaints can show up and exit my mouth before I even see them coming! Amazing to notice how automatic they are and how many forms they take! I even find myself complaining when I'm alone!

If the challenge seems daunting, consider this: we do not realize how enslaved we are by our negativity. Being complaint free is a way out of that prison.

• Complaints stem from feeling powerless. Every time we complain, we reinforce powerlessness and ineffectiveness. Is that what you want for yourself?
• Complaints are past-based. They are a result of our conditioned mind. When you're stuck in a dead past, you can't have a great future.
• Irritation and gratitude cannot coexist, and you get what you focus on. Complain, and you get more to complain about. Express gratitude, and you get more to feel grateful for. That's the law of attraction in action.
• Complaining is a selfish act. When we are being selfish, we are not expressing or receiving love. And we wonder why we feel so lonely.

The book defines complaining as:

• Any expression of grief, pain, or discontent
• An energetic statement that focuses on the problem rather than the resolution
• Gossip, criticism, sarcasm
• Pointing out someone else's complaint

As I said earlier, I have found that complaining shows up in many forms. Here are a few of them.

• Whining, griping, snide remarks
• Honking the horn (letting the car do the talking)
• Huffing, grunting, eye rolling (letting your body do the talking)
• Expressing grouchiness, irritability, anger, upset, disappointment
• Making excuses, being defensive
• Pointing out other's faults, aka "taking their inventory" (whether directly to them or about them to someone else)

Sound familiar?

As I work with some of my clients and class participants on their own Complaint Free journey, I am more and more enamored with this program, because in order to be successful, you have to become aware, mindful, and really strong.

Training to be complaint free results in the development of some very powerful spiritual qualities -- leadership, courage, balance, flexibility, discipline, perseverance, and endurance, to name a few. And, the most important: DETACHMENT.

(For more on detachment: click here)

After years of practicing the program himself and observing others as they become complaint free, Bowen discovered a few consistent and common results:

• More happiness! 
• Fewer things to complain about!
• Greater peace of mind and enjoyment of life
• Better health
• Better relationships

That is the beauty of this program. Its side effects are only positive, and some the best on the planet. It is one of the most potent tools I have found for training oneself into a more positive, powerful space.

Want some of that for yourself?

I hope this quick summary of the complaint free concept was enough to inspire you to join me in taking the challenge. Good luck! Let me know how it goes!