Breaking the chain
Yesterday I received in the mail a different sort of chain letter. Included was one of those rubber-bracelets-for-a-cause things, in an unnatural shade of violet. The "cause" was ComplaintFreeWorld or something like that (there's a website, I'm sure you can find it). I slipped the bracelet on and started reading the letter. The first few rules seemed reasonable enough: Don't complain. Try to wear the bracelet for 21 days (the length of time that scientists say it takes to form a habit) straight without complaining, gossiping, or otherwise spreading negative energy. When you catch yourself complaining, move the bracelet to the other wrist and start over. The theory behind all this being, which I totally agree with, negative energy breeds negative energy. So knock it off.
So far, so good, though I already started wondering where the line is drawn as to what is a complaint and what is a statement of fact. For example, "That movie was too long." As someone who is very interested in films, I think that observation may be warranted. However, if the person making this statement does so in a whiny voice, or if any curse words are involved, i.e., "That movie was too damn long," then I guess it would be a complaint. But it is still a fine line.
I read further on in the letter, as there were more rules. If someone asks you what the bracelet is for, you have to explain it to them, but then you have to move the bracelet to the other wrist and start your 21 days over again. What? How in the world are you supposed to wear a bracelet in a shade of purple that no one has seen since 1983 for 21 days straight without anyone asking what it is for? I spoke outloud the first words since I had put the bracelet on less than three minutes ago:
"That's stupid."
I moved the bracelet to the other wrist.
Needless to say, the bracelet didn't last an hour. Not because it is a bad idea, or even because it is a difficult exercise. More because I find bracelets very distracting, and it didn't go with ANYTHING I own. But the premise is an interesting one, and a challenge I think that many people should take to heart. Why not see how long you can go?
