I don’t mean about things that you should raise your voice against such as poor service etc, rather are you inclined to find yourself telling someone how everything would be just perfect if it weren’t for [blank….. insert the name of the person or thing that you’re a railing against]? My wife drew my attention to this quote from Chuck Spezzano¹
“Complaining is an attack on your self-image … you are denying your personal Power.” Not being very bright, I had to think about it for a while, and then I got it.

He is reminding us that if we make others responsible for our lives not working then we are effectively saying that we have no power to improve things. In denying our own contribution to whatever is going on in our lives, by being attached to both ‘being right’ and ‘being a victim’, we can do nothing but complain.

The alternative is to say that I can change. I can change how I feel about this; I can choose a different response; I can communicate in a way that will be heard. In the end, I can always walk away.

I thought that this was thought worth sharing……….

“Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses” German proverb

“Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.” Antoine Rivarol

Resources:

1. Chuck Spezzano