No Complaining

Some of you may be surprised to see the title of this.  I admit, I have been a complainer most of my life. Out of example and  habit I suppose.

The other day I overheard someone complain about the long drive to their second home up in the mountains.  I instantly thought what a spoiled rotten person they must be.  Yes, a bit of jealousy perhaps on my part.  Then I thought of all the complaints that I dish out on a daily basis.

 Aside from feeling a tinge of envy when I hear complaints from those who are materially better off than myself, I realized that nobody likes to hear complaints and the complainer is not better off for having done so.  But more important, I thought of all the people in the world who do not have a roof over their head, or food to eat, or....

Complaining about my broken toilet suddenly felt very wrong.  Not that I don't often feel grateful for the  many blessings in my life. In fact, my life's motto has been, "it could be worse!" 

This is probably not a new revelation for you, or even to me.  But this time, it was a moment when the thought felt like it sank deep into my brain and stuck.

A strange feeling to no longer have the desire to inform others of such minor inconveniences.  Seems foolish now.  I still curse at times when someone commits a minor traffic infraction that causes me to have to put on my brakes or maneuver out of their way---more than likely a snowbird--but I am not complaining.