I got this in my Fortune Cookie today. I'm going to get it laminated. Maybe make a keyring or something. Nothing like positive thoughts to keep me going.
As an avid listener, I find myself on the receiving end of a lot of complaining - at work, at home, even at the grocery store. Maybe I have a sympathetic face, who knows? People complain about lack of communication, but don't bother to tell management that their computer isn't working. They complain about not being included in corporate events, but don't attend the annual Christmas Party.
They complain the house is a dump, but don't mow the lawn for weeks at a time. If their hair is curly, they want it straight. If it's straight, they want it curly. They're too skinny, too fat, too hot, too cold.
Some people make a living at complaining. They jab at their partners, parents and children with sharp-witted and humorous glee on television, movies and on the stage. Stand up comedy would be nowhere without complaining.
Don't get me wrong - it's okay to bitch once in a while, but when it starts to sound like a broken record, maybe complainers need to take a step back and look at their lives. Even when life seems like it's shitting on them at every turn, they don't realize how precious it is.
Perhaps they have spouses and children who love them. Even if they aren't rich and famous, they have the company of friends who see beyond the negativity and give them the support they need.
Writer Patry Francis , who often has every right to complain, quoted Woody Allen:
"Life is divided up into the horrible and the miserable. The horrible would be terminal cases, blind people, cripples. The miserable is everyone else. When you go through life you should be thankful that you're miserable."
My little cousin Austin fought a courageous battle with cancer for five years, finally succumbing at the tender age of eight. Every step of the way he laughed, played and came up with marvelous insights about life, death, friends, Heaven and Pokémon. Even as he was wheeled through the parking lot on a gurney while being transported by ambulance from one hospital to another, he asked the paramedic to stop so he could catch the raindrops on his tongue.
When you are inclined to complain, stop and think about your Fortune.
What is your Fortune? Is it money? Fame? Contentment? Family? A spectacular sunset? Tell me.
15 comments:
The family’s health and safety means a good day. Throw in not having to pop a couple of Advil for me, and it’s a great day. :)
Excellent post. I stated some of the same yesterday: "Our clever feathered friends do not complain. They do not sit around the bird feeder, like the the characters in our local coffee shops, complaining about the weather: too rainy, cloudy, sunny, hot, warm, cold."
But huddled indoors, enjoying the view of the rain, rather that the experience itself!
I think it too hard for people to DO something about what is not right and too easy to vent to others.
my fortune: the love of those i love
Great post, and a reminder to those of us who do complain once in awhile.
For me Bgood fortune is knowing my blessings are wherever I find them; of having extraordinary luck and good fortune over the years despite the ups and downs of life. Positive thinking and working with the light help me through my medical problems.
It's always good to count one's blessings. We so often get busy with our lives and forget to appreciate what's good in them.
Well said, my favorite Chumplet! Fantastic post.
Love ya!
It's okay to complain once in a while, but I believe constant complaining not only annoys everyone around you, but makes you feel even worse.
Jenny, those boids know how to get things done. The squirrels, too.
I draw the line at raccoons. They can get downright grumpy when you interrupt their green bin raid at 1 a.m.
Love this post. Every time I start feeling sorry for myself I start counting my blessings, then realize that I really have nothing to complain about. Everywhere I turn there is goodness and beauty - right next to the bad stuff. You just choose your focus.
Thank you for posting this. It came at just the right time for me.
Glad to be of service, Jack!
I see you live in beautiful Califoria. I visited once, a zillion years ago, and it's a riot of colour and texture.
Today in Ontario, the colour has arrived.
Sandy, we need these reminders often.
I'm so sorry about your cousin. That story brought tears to my eyes.
He passed away a while ago, Chris, but I think about him all the time. He was a very inspiring boy.
well, said! i'm all for a good whinge now and again, but some people just never see the bright side. ever. which is sad.
and did you add "...in bed" to that
forture?? heeee!!!
Cindy, I like to add "in my pants" to my fortune!
Chumplet: So sorry for your loss.
Patry has a way of keeping things in perspective.
I'm currently attending a double-murder trial. The victims' parents are in the courtroom along with with the "alleged" killer who is on trial. The parents have to sit there while a Court TV camera zooms on their faces as pictures of their slaughtered adult children are shown in court, while the "alleged" killer sits there trying to look innocent.
I would not trade places w/them for a million bucks.
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