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June 15, 2004
Complaining
People can be very vocal about their opinions sometimes. I get an odd feeling though when they are complaining to me about something that I happen to like. Today it happened several times. First I was going to the cash machine in the skyway downtown and I ran into a friend. It was lunch-time so we casually talked about what we were doing for lunch. When I told him I was going to the Chinese food place at the other end of the skyway, he said, “Oh good, this one over here really sucks, doesn’t it!” I thought to myself, ‘no it really doesn’t, I like their Kung Pao Chicken at this one.’ I’ve eaten at both places and the food is good. I don’t have any complaints. Of course I can eat almost any food and like it.
This afternoon a coworker was talking to me about biking in the heat this summer. He said, “I’d never bike in that kind of heat. You’d have to be crazy to ride through that hot muggy weather!” I thought, ‘well, maybe I’ll drink more water and make sure I’m not overheating, and maybe ride some at night when it’s cooler.’ But I commute by bike, so if it gets a little hot and muggy, I can always walk or drink more water if I have to. That’ll make it better right? Then it was about the hills. He said, “No, I would avoid those hills. They’re too hard on the knees. Just think of the pressure you are putting on them!” To me hills are great. Hills are a challenge and build my strength so I love hills.
I ran into an artist friend that I know, and was talking to him about his artwork, and he said, “I have to leave this town. It’s so unfriendly” He went on to explain how rude and unfriendly people in the twin cities are and that “Minnesota Nice” is a myth. So I was thinking, “wow, it’s sure good you have a friend to listen to this. Otherwise you might be really miserable.” I think Minnesota is one of the best places to live in the country. I’ve been to other places and I think the people here are nice.
I am not trying to be mean to these people, but it’s truly an interesting position to be in when someone is complaining about something we like. I like these people, and don’t wish to be rude to them either. I can’t agree with what they are complaining about, but feel everyone is entitled to their opinions.
I have found that complaining often is an attitude based on our perception of how things really are. Keeping things in perspective and looking for the positive side of a situation allows us to be happier about it. Sometimes the complaining will fall away. A coworker at a previous job had a good attitude. Every time that I would ask him how work was going he’d say, “It sure beats killing sheep!” He used to work in a slaughter house. I can’t imagine doing that, but I can imagine that almost anything is better than that!
So when we are complaining sometimes it’s helpful to remember a phrase like that to keep things in perspective.
If much of what we are complaining about is based on our attitude and viewpoint, then it makes sense that this is one area we can change in our lives. It sure beats complaining about everything.
Posted by carl1236 at June 15, 2004 10:10 PM | Attitude