When I saw Mark & Betsy at our taping last weekend, I didn’t think much of it, they are often with us when we are taping. I was caught by surprise when Betsy started talking to us about a concept that she says saved her marriage. I never thought it would be something that I could relate to so much. Complaining-there are a lot of different names for it-venting,whining, nagging, or one of my favorites: “I’m just stating a fact!” I will be up front here, complaining is one of my biggest flaws in my life. It has been since I was little-my Dad is constantly saying something like these words to me: “Nothing is good enough for you Nikki! All you do is complain! Will you just stop nagging on Phil? Leave the guy alone!”
Oopsie…
This is something I try to work on, let’s face it- nobody likes to be around a constant complainer! Given our latest assignment, I am thrilled to take on the challenge of switching my pretty magenta bracelet every single time a complaint comes out of my mouth. When I came home to tell Phil about it, he had a smirk on his face from here to the hills and couldn’t wait to start “reminding” me to switch the bracelet when needed! However, he refused to wear the bracelet himself because it was “pink”. I think he is just a little scared to realize how much he complains! 
I had to start doing some more research on how this concept came about. Will Bowen, minister from Missouri came up with the idea to curb criticism, complaining and sarcasam in his church congregation. It has taught people to be slower thinkers and really think about what is coming out of your mouth and how it effects others around you. Will said it has opened people’s eyes on how much people complain; even if they think they are a generally positive person. One couple from his congregation discovered how much they talk negatively and/or complain, so instead of switching the bracelet all day long, they decided to just stop talking for a whole day! Now that is a good way to learn a lesson!
This bracelet concept is really catching on. There has been over 6 MILLION bracelets circulated world wide and wasfeatured on media giants such as the Today Show, Oprah and Fox news. If people take this idea seriously, we will be slowing building a more positive world for our children. There is so much negativity in our world and I think this is because it is easy to be negative, it takes more strength to be positive and see the bright side of things, even when it looks pretty dim.
So join me and the Iron Brides in trying to live complaint-free. It has been a struggle so far, but it is an eye opener for sure! I know I haven’t been even close to going a full day without switching the bracelet, but it helps if you have a fiancee who loves to point out your complaining-you’ll be switching that bracelet before you know it!
Below you will see the lovely piece of rubber I will be donning on my wrist-probably forever!
