Complaining Your way to the Bottom
POISON POTION #1 – COMPLAINING
Complaining sucks the life right out of you. And it may do that in a literal sense.
It tends to feel natural and easy to fall into thinking about difficulties and frustrations, and what is lacking when things don’t go as hoped for.
We know complaining will not make the bad go away and isn’t centered on finding solutions, but we do it anyway. And because you project what you think about, and how you think about it, a spirit of complaining is sure to bring more unpleasantness into your life.
It’s like getting into the express elevator for a direct trip to a windowless basement. “Good morning. What floor?”
“B. For bummed out, man. This sucks.”
It turns people into bitter, unhappy, disgruntled, and angry folks. And is it just me or do people who habitually complain all the time, actually look ugly?
Complaining is viral. It easily spreads between humans in close contact with each other. It is a strong poison with horrible life-altering and reality-bending consequences. It can and has ruined relationships, careers, and entire lives.
ANTIDOTE
So what is the antidote? Thankfulness and gratitude.
Being thankful is simply seeing the good in experience. Gratitude drives to action. It is high-minded and takes a positive far-sighted view of events.
Hop in that express elevator again. “Good morning. What floor?”
“P. The penthouse. I’m positive.”
It is not mind-over-matter. It is actually taking the time and actively thinking of all the things you are grateful for. Writing them out each day is an even stronger anti-viral drug.
It isn’t hard. But it feels foreign for those infected with the complaining virus. If that’s you, do it anyway.
You will slowly realize that you have so much. Even if you once felt like you had nothing worthwhile.
The change in perception changes how you experience reality. And since perception is the reality, your reality changes.
Good things start happening. All the time.
People you meet will be nicer. Your job will be better. Relationships will be more sound. You will find less and less to complain about.
ROCK OR WING?
Both complaining and gratitude are cyclical.
Complaining is a hidden vicious cycle as perceived reality is colored and always brings more reasons to continue. Likewise, gratitude is an “up-cycle” – an upgrade to your reality, constantly feeding reminders of all the good.
Distance yourself as much as possible from other complainers. Spend time with thankful people.
When something in life is rock and drags you down, dump it. When something in life is a wing and lifts you up, keep it.
Complaining is a rock. Gratitude is a wing.
