It's almost as though complaining is a God given gift to humans. We complain even when things are so good that we really have nothing to groan about. I'm sure you have friends who are making good money, have great friends (you being one of them, right?), have nice homes, beautiful furnishings and plenty of 21st century toys to occupy their time, but they still gripe about everything else.
Why is that?
Do we grouse precisely because we have it so good? Do we feel guilty about success, and therefore, need to make others realize that our comfortable lifestyle isn't the bed of rose petals it appears to be? Or, is it just inherent in humans to bellyache?
I'm sure psychologists and psychiatrists have long, fancy terms for the "disorder" of complaining, but it really boils down to a choice, the choice to see the glass as half full, life as the beautiful thing it is, and your particular situation not as bad as you portray. Are we so happy we have to bemoan it?
I had one of those personal ah ha's the other day, something those psychiatrists would have called an epiphany, in which I realized it was me who was doing the grumbling. What a terrible revelation...what, I'm not perfect after all? Surely you jest!
I was telling a friend how I disliked something in our society, and got very animated about it, when she shot back, "You are always angry about something." Well, let me tell you that set me back a step or two, prompted this article and more than a little self-examination on this subject.
Even when we think we are just expressing an opinion, it's all in how it is delivered and how it is received. "One man's ceiling is another man's floor," can also be said another way, "One man's opinion is another man's complaint." Yes, I was complaining, but my actions made it worse instead of just an opinion. So, even being opinionated can be looked upon as whimpering and expostulating (that's a cool word, huh?).
Hence my conclusion of Part I, sort of: we can discuss or we can complain; we can elucidate or prognosticate; we can illuminate or we can enlighten, we can obfuscate with drama and negativity or we can smile, look on the bright side, find the humor and see life as it is...one big, wonderful experience which will never be perfect, just an exquisite challenge which deserves good choices and a positive outlook.
With that attitude, we all could stop finding fault and look for the good in everything, fix what we can, and enjoy life in the moment.
Oh well, I'll try if you will.
Anyway you look at it, it's just one man's humble opinion...mine.
Keith E. Renninson is a motivational speaker and co-author of the popular parenting tool and illustrated storybook for children, "Zooch the Pooch, My Best Friend". Through the 1990's with much self-examination, academic study, bicycle racing, and mountain climbing, he discovered a renewed zest of life, which included a love of metaphysics, philosophy, humor, and writing and speaking. As Keith says, "Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue...it's all in what you make of it." You can read more about "Zooch the Pooch" or contact Keith to speak at: http://www.zoochthepooch.com
Keith and his co-author Michael Conrad Kelley speak to teens and adults on "The Seven Simple Steps to a More Fulfilling Life." This course focuses on how to build a successful Life Philosophy that works for each individual.
No comments:
Post a Comment