Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Poor Me

***This post is not about writing, though it is directly related.***

Why is it so easy to complain?

I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain.  ~Jane Wagner

Complaining takes zero effort. In fact, it takes immeasurable effort not to complain. When I attempt to not complain my jaw starts to ache, my stomach becomes a trash-compactor, and I usually develop some form of a nervous tick. It's instinctual; something terrible, frustrating, confusing, hurtful, or inconvenient happens and what's the first thing I do? Complain. I could be gushing blood because I rammed my shin into that damn drawer that secretly inches its way out overnight, and even before digging out the peroxide, Neosporin, and band-aids, I will make the time to stop, find something with ears (animals suffice when a human is not present) and proceed to tell them what horrible thing just happened to me. And then I will complain because I don't have the right size band-aids. Just those little circle ones. And I don't want those band-aids; I want the rectangular ones with the little ventilation holes so my skin can breathe and the fatal wound heals properly. The circle ones are pointless. Who gets a circular injury!? Name one time anyone has received a laceration  that was in the shape of a cheerio. Why are they even here!? Who put the freakin' ugly, dumb, COMPLETELY LAME circle band-aids in MY variety pack?!?! Who did it!???!!!

Sorry . . .

Here are some of the things I have complained about in the last twenty minutes.



1. My automatic coffee heater is not getting my coffee as hot as I would like it. I may need to walk seven feet to the other automatic device that heats my food and beverages for me.

2. I'm hot.

3. I'm cold.

4. My new book just arrived and the edges are crumpled. I didn't pay Amazon $11.84 for them to do a shotty job packaging my book.

5. I can't think of a number five answer. This is so frustrating and ridiculous. I should be able to think of a number five answer.

6. I'm trying to write this amazing blogpost and my mother-in-law has the T.V loud enough for people three streets over to hear.

Right. So now that you've had a look into my brilliant mind, you see what I mean. Now . . . I understand that you may have legitimate complaint-worthy grievances. May I ask you something? Do you feel better after complaining about them? Are you full of joy, light, and positivity after telling a few people how much your back hurts, how you haven't slept in four days, haven't pooped in six days, can't pay your bills, there are no jobs left in America, your child has decided that your stupid and he knows everything, your friends are too busy or not interested in your life,  your boyfriend likes blondes with nice legs and you are a brunette with varicose veins. I don't know about you, but chronicling all the things that bother me leaves me more agitated, disgruntled, and negative than the actual thing that caused my rant in the first place.

Undoubtedly, there are some right now poo-pooing this. You have engaged in defensive-denial-mode. The shields are up, and the brows are lowered. I'm completely wrong and I have no idea what I'm talking about. Well . . .you have my permission to leave my blog and visit this one here:




Anyone still here? Okay good. So here is my advice: (I give you permission to keep me accountable to following it) Stop complaining. Instead of focusing on all the injustices against you, keeping record of every ailment or bothersome issue, focus on what you do have. Who you have. I assure you, it's more than most. Need a reminder that your life really isn't all that bad. I couldn't even copy and paste this without crying.




Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.  ~Proverb

8 comments:

By: Sarah said...

I really loved this. Way to put it out there and keep us all in check.

Amanda Jenn said...

Such an important reminder, thank you for this!

Kristin Yuki said...

SO funny....and true.

An awesome post that I think I will read every day for the next week (or whenever anyone switches my band-aids!)

:D

Natalie C. Markey said...

Great Stuff! If all we do is complain and find excuses then we will never reach our goals!

Ashley said...

So true! Sometimes we just have those days when it is easier to complain than to count our blessings!

Ree Vera said...

How much did I love this post? I can't even say...it was great. Loved the humor at the start. So true. It is so very easy to complain about everything and anything. To get into a 'Woe is me' state and just have ourselves a pity part for every little thing that goes wrong in our lives. It hit home because in my life, there always seems to be something. It's just how things are for me and there isn't a day that goes by where I don't have some kind of disaster...big or small. So to give in and moan all day about it is awfully tempting at times. But when I'm tempted, I stop myself and think about all the other things that could go wrong and haven't. How lucky I am to simply...be. Be here. Be me. You really put things in persepective at the end there. Thanks for this.

mouthyjenn said...

Wow cara that was so good !! i certainly will think twice before complaining as Kay warren once said you need to see the bless in the mess . like you have bandaids even though there circular .

Unknown said...

Hello, thank you for writing this blog - you have no idea how much I needed to read this! I feel like sometimes for me, it is a case of "the lady doth protest too much!", but I feel that after reading this, I shouldn't feel too bad, that it is just fine - and putting it in writing seems to help even more, so thank you. I also would like to say thank you for visiting my blog and for the lovely comments that you left. It is pure delight to receive such praise! I look forward to reading your blogs as well. Hx