Complaining About Canada
Canadians like to hug their mug of coffee at timmies and complain. I enjoy eavesdropping on these conversations, and boy do I get an earful now and again. What city council should – or shouldn’t do. What that neighbour should do about his fence. What our troops should be doing in Afghanistan. It’s all very interesting. And very funny.
When we listen to everyday language, we find out that many people are stuck on complaining. Kvetching. B*tching. Every second sentence points to griping about something. Yip. Yup.
My grandmother told me, and told me, and told me, “You can’t have a good life without a lot of good days”. She never complained, or so it seemed to me when I was a kid. Gossip did not pass her lips, so I just took it for granted that this is how the world should work. We should live like nomads: I no mad at you and you no mad at me!
Then I started to hang out in coffee shops. There were a lot more people complaining, and not many people like my grandma. The things they belly-ached about! In the long run, who cares if Billy didn’t eat his cornflakes, and Betty got a tattoo. Didn’t these people understand that how they view the world through their words, affects the life that they actually live?
It’s all about the Psychology of Happiness, or the flip side, the Science of Complaining. Complaining is a lot like bad breath. We don’t notice our own halitosis, but we sure get the signal from someone else’s mouth!
The Reverend Bill Bowen took the complaint department to task. In 2006, he challenged his congregation in Kansas City MO, to live 21 days complaint free, to not be the ouch looking for a hurt. That's 504 consecutive hours without a reference to discontent, pain or grief.
Canadians like to hug their mug of coffee at timmies and complain. I enjoy eavesdropping on these conversations, and boy do I get an earful now and again. What city council should – or shouldn’t do. What that neighbour should do about his fence. What our troops should be doing in Afghanistan. It’s all very interesting. And very funny.
When we listen to everyday language, we find out that many people are stuck on complaining. Kvetching. B*tching. Every second sentence points to griping about something. Yip. Yup.
My grandmother told me, and told me, and told me, “You can’t have a good life without a lot of good days”. She never complained, or so it seemed to me when I was a kid. Gossip did not pass her lips, so I just took it for granted that this is how the world should work. We should live like nomads: I no mad at you and you no mad at me!
Then I started to hang out in coffee shops. There were a lot more people complaining, and not many people like my grandma. The things they belly-ached about! In the long run, who cares if Billy didn’t eat his cornflakes, and Betty got a tattoo. Didn’t these people understand that how they view the world through their words, affects the life that they actually live?
It’s all about the Psychology of Happiness, or the flip side, the Science of Complaining. Complaining is a lot like bad breath. We don’t notice our own halitosis, but we sure get the signal from someone else’s mouth!
The Reverend Bill Bowen took the complaint department to task. In 2006, he challenged his congregation in Kansas City MO, to live 21 days complaint free, to not be the ouch looking for a hurt. That's 504 consecutive hours without a reference to discontent, pain or grief.
To help monitor their progress in changing their communication habit, Rev. Bowen gave each person a purple elastic bracelet with some simple directions.
Every time they heard themselves complaining, they were to switch the bracelet to the other wrist. The idea spread, and now over 5 million bracelets have been distributed in more than 80 countries. I wish my grandmother had thought of this!
Why am I saying, “Stop Complaining Already” on Canada Day?
It’s personal. I admit that my grandmother’s influence guides my life, and I’d like to live in a more positive Canada. I’d like to join you for a cup of coffee and see the bright side. I want us to raise our children to take positive leadership roles in our communities, to support the under-dogs and see hope and potential.
Why am I saying, “Stop Complaining Already” on Canada Day?
It’s personal. I admit that my grandmother’s influence guides my life, and I’d like to live in a more positive Canada. I’d like to join you for a cup of coffee and see the bright side. I want us to raise our children to take positive leadership roles in our communities, to support the under-dogs and see hope and potential.
Most of all, I want to influence lives to be happy, by having one good (Canada Day) after another.
The Canada Day Challenge
If you're up to the challenge - 21 days no kvetching - let me know!
I'll post your comments if you give me permission. Ready? Get an elastic band from the bunch of broccoli in the fridge. Keep it on your wrist for 504 hours starting July 1. Tell your family what you are doing. Tell me too.
Go Canada!
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