🇺🇸 M4 - Je me plains de..... parce que....

I complain about...

because...

Here’s a very simple exercise—one that I hope you’ll find both eye-opening and even a bit fun. The idea is to spend a moment becoming aware of what bothers you about the people around you, society, the weather, your body, and even objects. In short, everything is fair game. Whether this dissatisfaction is spoken out loud or only in your thoughts, it deserves to be heard!

Examples:

• I complain about my neighbor on the left because he makes too much noise.
• I complain about my neighbor on the right because he doesn’t say hello.
• I complain about my son because he eats messily.
• I complain about my son because he doesn’t eat vegetables.
• I complain about my son because he always leaves late for school.
• I complain about my aunt because she forgot my birthday.
• I complain about the government because it restricts my freedoms.
• I complain about the plumber because he doesn’t call me back.

• I complain about the weather because it’s too cold.
• I complain about the internet connection because it’s too slow.
• I complain about my partner because he never takes out the trash.
• I complain about my car because it starts poorly.
• I complain about my mother because she constantly complains about her health.
• I complain about my mother because she speaks too loudly.
• I complain about my brother because he changes his mind all the time.
• I complain about bankers because they fill their pockets.
• I complain about the media because they’re not impartial.
• I complain about traffic because it makes me late.
• I complain about my partner because he doesn’t love me like before.
• I complain about my coworker because he works less hard than I do.
• I complain about my coworker because he interrupts me too often.
• I complain about my tomatoes because they don’t grow fast enough.
• I complain about my ears because they’re too big.
• I complain about my stomach because it hurts.
• I complain about Sabrina because she only talks about herself...

With your notebook and pen in hand, start your list and let your pencil write. Pour all your complaints onto the page—whether obvious and spoken or subtle and only in your thoughts. Have fun gathering everything that crosses your mind. What do you notice? Is there anyone—or anything—in this world that has escaped your complaints? What does this teach you about the mind? Now choose one of these statements and question it with a partner, by yourself using a “One Belief at a Time” Worksheet, or with the audio recording. Then move on to the next one.

In the discussion below, please share your insights and your questions about this exercise.