Well, maybe I am.
No, I’m not.
Okay, you caught me. Yes, I’m complaining.
Although I’m not speaking about complaining in the sense that something was underdelivered or overpromised, as if my hamburger was still mooing on the plate or charred to perfection like an overcooked hockey puck.
Even if that were the case, I’m not certain it ever feels good to complain. Do we really enjoy listening to one another complain all the time?
So why do we do it? Why do we allow ourselves to be sucked in by something so destructive, when all it seems to do is tear us down?
Well, it could be we don’t feel well. I sure know what that’s like. I seem to have caught the cold of the century. Almost everyone has had it or is presently consumed by it. It just won’t go away.
Or perhaps someone incited a negative thought. Check! Been there, done that.
Or unrealistic expectations may also provoke a feeling of pessimism.
Uh, do we really have to talk about this?
If we’re truly tired of hearing ourselves whine and moan, than maybe we do.
You see, when we complain, what we’re really saying is we’re not happy with the way things are.
Maybe we’re not happy with ourselves. Maybe we’re not happy with others. It doesn’t really matter. Because for the most part, this “thing” is something we are unable to control. Yes, there are some things in life that are beyond our control. And for those control freaks out there, myself included, it is the one “thing” that can drive us nuts!
But there is something we can control. That is our perspective. We, and only we, control what we choose to focus on. So every time this underhanded need to complain bubbles forth, we can make the conscious effort to change our attitude and how we view “things”.
And it will also help us gain a greater sense of gratitude.
Gratitude.
Now there’s an interesting word.
It is a feeling of acknowledgment that one has received or will receive something to their benefit. It is an emotion that expresses thankfulness for what we have. It is an attitude that will generate acceptance and appreciation.
When we adopt this outlook, we are less likely to become frustrated, stressed and overwhelmed. We seize the opportunity to feel empowered rather than disempowered.
In a nutshell, we’re less apt to complain.
And that thought inspires me.
Forget the cold. Forget the negativity. Forget unrealistic expectations. I want to remain grateful. Grateful for my family. Grateful for my friends. Grateful for this day, this new year, no matter the uncertainty it will bring.
But I’m not complaining.
Well, maybe I am.
No, I’m not.
How about you? Do you feel like the grass is always greener? Is it easy for you to fall into the sinister throws of complaining? If so, what do you do to stop the cycle? And what are you grateful for?
Cheers everyone! I hope that life is treating you well. And, as always, thank you so much for all your support and wonderful comments!
Karen