However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun
it and call it hard names. – Henry David Thoreau
I frequently write about adopting a positive mindset in my Sunday Purrs columns. I believe that it helps you cope more easily with whatever life throws at you. I think Einstein had it right when he said “the most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” Adopting a positive mindset is a conscious choice.
Complaining about your life is the antithesis of a positive mindset. If you’ve ever been around a constant complainer, you know how draining it is. Chronic complainers thrive on having a captive audience. They love dumping their negativity on others and bringing them down to their level. But what’s even worse than being around a complainer is speaking poorly of your own life.
When you speak poorly about your own life, don’t be surprised if your life becomes more of what you’re complaining about. Complaining about your life is damaging to the soul. It makes you bitter, fearful, and angry. It kills hope and creativity.
Unfortunately, complaining has become so socially acceptable that it’s almost impossible to have a conversation anymore without someone complaining about something. Whether you’re complaining about your health, the rising cost of everything, or the weather, someone will surely have a story that’s even worse than yours, and before you know it, you’re caught in a downward spiral of negative energy.
Make a conscious choice to short-circuit your own complaints about your life, and choose not to participate in negative conversations with others. Life will always throw stuff at you. Prices will always go up, the weather will not always be how you’d prefer it to be, and there will be conflict in the world. Rather than complaining about the things you can’t control, focus on the good things in your life. Speak positive words about your life. You may be surprised just how much your life will improve.
I bet cats don’t complain about their life. I can’t imagine a cat ever thinks “I’ll never get to nap in a sun puddle again” on a cloudy day. Instead, I’m pretty sure that she’s going to find an alternate cozy spot for a nap and settle down purring at just how good it is to take a nap in the middle of the day.
Do you often find yourself complaining about your life, or do you focus on the good in your life?
Your post really resonated with me. I do tend to focus more on the negatives in my life, which have been many; but I’ve found when I choose to think positively, I am so much happier. Thanks for the reminder! Ingrid!
I am very guilty of complaining about my life. This post is just what I need to see today to start making a change Thanks!
I am from India living in Mumbai and as most readers of this blog are from “FIRST WORLD COUNTRY’S” wonder whats the image of the average American or European regarding the living standards of the average Indian ? As a indian i have been through “Hell” and “Heaven” on this Earth itself and have realized that always except your situation or still better is to improve it according to your own standards and not in comparison with your peer in one-upmanship contests.Honestly, my pets and now my two cats have made me realize that its best taking every day as it comes as tomorrow is a mystery while yesterday was your personal history. Do our cats ever seem worried if given their normal food and a little bit of human caring ? We humans are always not content with our earthly possessions and always in comparison with our wealthier peers as the “Grass always seems green on the other side”! Learn to appreciate your own good fortune and achievements as in the long run the average humans life span is too short.I am providing free Psychiatric advice which would be very expensive in a “First world Country” ! Right.
I have a feeling that if anyone ever did a study on which countries have the most complainers, first world countries would top the list, Rudolph. I agree that comparing yourself against others is never a good approach to life.