I gave up complaining for Lent

Inspired by a discussion group where Christine Lewicki spoke about her J’Arrête de Râler concept and books, I gave up complaining for Lent. Let’s be real, it was more ‘dialing down’ my complaining, just like a volume button down to the lowest setting. Overall I feel like my abstention was successful. I’m going to continue my quest even though the Easter season has come and gone.

I learned~1) there is a fine line between communicating negative information and complaining; it’s all in the delivery. If I tell you I got a parking ticket this afternoon in a manner that is too perky, I’m not complaining, but it will come off as sarcastic which isn’t much of an improvement. I can, however, not whine and go on and on about it as if the world owes me something. I’m someone who historically bottled up any tension and anger which was not healthful for me, so even though I WILL communicate the bad things that went down I will not complain about it.

2) dialing down my complaints turned up the volume on everybody else’s. I didn’t judge anyone for it since it felt more like a Dorian Gray mirror image. It was the same when I have given up sugar or drinking during Lent; that is when I realize how abundant it is in my own diet.

3) gratitude was my key to the volume control knob and even though I fumbled quickly and often, I was able to dial down my complaining by keeping a list of the things and people I am grateful for on my mind. I’m curious about what you gave up for Lent and how it went?!