21 Days Breaks a Habit

"I find a surprising correlation between eating "junk" and complaining. The body's inner wisdom has such creative ways of expelling toxins."
~Christy Russell~


We have enough research to show that 21 days makes or breaks a habit. New neuro-pathways are developed in the brain after 21 days, to create or break the habit we have set in motion.
Well, many of us love to start new diets, exercise more, cleanse our bodies, stop eating junk food, etc... However, I have recently found a new exercise that has helped me to start setting all of my new-desired habits in motion. It's called "The Complaint Free Diet."

Try not complaining for 21 days! Sound easy? Try it out.
To help you along the path, wear a bracelet on your right wrist (I personally love to wear my Wonder Woman silver bracelet as my reminder), and when you've complained that day...you move it to your left wrist. (Don't get down on yourself for complaining...just be aware of it and start new the next day.) The next day you can start fresh again, with the bracelet on the right (remember that you get to start the 21 days over if you complain about anything that day.)

I heard about this wonderful exercise when I was home in Kansas City and visited a Unity Church. The minister at that Unity--Will Bowen--introduced this to his church as an exercise, and the stories were absolutely life changing and incredible! If you are interested in more details, go to http://acomplaintfreeworld.org/


I have tried it numerous times, and I must be honest and say that it was more difficult for me than I imagined it would be. I think the first time I really tried it, I got through 3 whole days and that was it! It's hard to believe how much we complain about each day...and how many times we rationalize our complaints to be "okay." The real reason I loved this exercise was the way that it created a new habit with everything else I did. I didn't see it at first, but soon after I started to see that it was the catalyst for a lot of other change. I started to see a correlation between complaining and my laziness or inactivity. I noticed-of course-the connection between complaining and my negative thinking. I also noticed that when I complained, I also made poor excuses. However, the one that surprised me the most was the connection between complaining and what I chose to EAT! It seemed that the more I complained about this world, my life, etc....the more I chose poor quality foods. When I let go of complaining, I instinctively started choosing healthier foods, and wanted less junk in my body. Was this a coincidence? Could there be a link between cleansing the mind and cleansing the gut?

It just so happens that many Doctors are now discovering the link between the mind and the gut. Dr. Laura Thompson, a Hormone specialists here in Southern California states that the brain has secret "brain like" functions. A New York times article (January 23,1996)points out that 95% of the brain chemical, serotonin, is manufactured in the gut. Other brain chemicals like dopamine, GABA, histamine, and acetylcholine are also manufactured in the gut. Dr. Thompson states that "the gut plays a major role is happiness, as well as misery." "The GI Tract not only converts our food to fuel, but it is also a crucial chemical factory for our thoughts and emotions."

So, as I think well....I eat well! Try it out for a day, see how you feel after not complaining. If you're brave enough (and I highly recommend it) try not complaining for 21 days. Or in the words of Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no try."