A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted

We really probably don't realize how much time we spend in life complaining...what if you didn't do so much. Well, you would be happier, people would probably prefer to be around you more and you'd realize just how much other people spend complaining...and about such minute things. You can change this habit...truly.

Even if you don't get the book, try the experiment. Get their bracelet (or use a jelly bracelet, or one of your own) and put it on your wrist. Each time you catch yourself grumbling or complaining or criticizing something or someone, put the bracelet on the other wrist. In my first day, I must have changed it 7 times in the first hour. I was shocked, and intrigued...enough to try it for nearly a week before I gave up. That was a year ago, and I still think about that bracelet every week. And yes, I'm far less critical than I used to be. Now, I do neuroscientific research on meditation, spirituality, and optimism, and I think that this little gimmick is a gem. Why? Because every time you foster a critical thought, your brain releases a cascade of stress chemicals which eventually damages the very circuits that control anxiety and irritability. So a little exercise like this can have a profound effect on neural functioning, which is why Andrew Newberg, MD, and I talked about the Reverend Bowen's bracelet and his vision of a complaint-free society in our book, How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist. Oh, and one more thing, which we thoroughly discuss in our book: every time you complain in public, your irritability-like a virus-is neurologically picked up by every person who hears your voice or sees your face. So by all means, train your brain to be optimistic and positive because (according to 30+ years of longitudinal research conducted by Duke University and the Mayo Clinic), it will literally add years to your life. PS: Check out their website (acomplaintfreeworld.com) for tips for teaching children to become "complaint aware." Interestingly, a Missouri congressman was so impressed by the idea that he just introduced a bill into congress calling for a "Complaint-Free Wednesday," the day before Thanksgiving. I hope it passes....

I just finished reading A Complaint Free World and I must say that I was floored with this guide on becoming a complaint free person. As a Christian I believed that i was a very positive person but after taking on this challenge I found out that contrary to what I believed, I complain quite often and i wonder if I will ever make it to 21 days, but I will continue to go forward and strive towards that goal. This book is maybe one of the 5 best books I have ever read and I believe that this concept can change the world, because I believe that all of us are complainers and that complaining really doesn't do anyone any good. As well as being a guide to a system that I believe could end complaining in our lives, this book also describes complaining, how it effects us and what it does to others. This book is an absolute must to read and to practice, heres to a better world.

Edit of 28 May 08 to correct typo pointed out by a reader, and to add links. My wife asked me to buy this book after hearing about it. I did, it is a worthy useful book, and I will take its challenge. The author does a tremendous job of gently pointing out all the things about complaining that are both negative and futile: + complaining is about what you cannot have or get--get over it + avoid chronic complainers, the disease spreads + Takes 4-8 months to move from unconsciously incompetent to unconsciously competent. + Complaining traps you in a constante state of "something is wrong." + Complaining is a form of manipulation + Instead of complaining seek alternative language or BE SILENT + Silence is mature self-possession + Commit to what you want and go after it--WITHOUT COMPLAINT when stymied The book is quite effective at an underlying theme, God will provide. In acceptance lies happenstance, coincidence (or not), and harmony. The church that started this movement has given out 125,000 free purple bracelets, and issues Certificates of Happiness when anyone can attest to going 21 days without a complaint. They are starting up spin-off programs such as a Complaint-Free Relationship, School, or Workplace. The author touches briefly on the strategic game of nations, pointing out that instead of negotiating the negative (like nuclear proliferation) why not spend more time sharing information and strategizing the positive, like the end of poverty and disease? Amen. The book concludes with a raft of first person accounts, roughly one per page, and they are all serious and meaningful, not at all trite of hokey. This is a serious book for serious people. Entirely and absolutely by coincidence (or not--I really am starting to come back to God "in community"), reading this book coincided with my reading of one squishy and one leadership book, and all three of them center on the same point: be open, be accepting, visualize the good. I am so taken with this book that I am adding it to my CEO List (Collective and Commercial Intelligence). I find it hard to imagine a CEO of a Fortune 500 company that could get through a day without complaining, but boy, would I like to be around someone like that, who can drive a Fortune 500 company without ever complaining. Now *that* is leadership. The other two books: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Pocketbook Guide to Fulfilling Your Dreams (One Hour of Wisdom) The Source of Leadership: Eight Drivers of the High-impact Leader The more I think about, the more I am impressed by this book out of Kansas City, Missouri. This book is the essence of what is good and great about America as a frontier Nation, enduring challenges, never mind the occasional genocide, slave trade, and unprovoked war. The heart of this country is still good, even if the corrupt politicians have lost their soul. We can change all that in this next election, and I am going to stop complaining and start working to elect som

You're in for a wonderful read that bears a gift! Will Bowen uses his talent for heart-felt storytelling, laced with humor, to help you identify and eliminate complaining and negativity from your life. What a gift that is! And, that's just the start, he also guides you through an inspirational step-by-step process for living more joyfully and spiritually every day. You'll love this book immediately, treasure it forever, and want to get a copy for everyone you love.

All I can say is, if you're thinking about ordering this book - do it! It's a quick read that makes a big impression. I was so moved by the "honk if you're happy" story. This is a practical way of applying The Law of Attraction. If you've seen The Secret and aren't sure how to put it into action, this can help.