I’ve recently noticed this trend that worries me. Actually it’s probably not a trend, I’ve just become more aware of it. People seem to complain about the tiniest, little things and get upset or mad over nothing. It’s hard to go through the day without someone complaining about something. And in today’s world, it’s very easy to feel sorry for yourself. In fact, it’s kind of contagious. We want others compassion and their sympathy.
A few years back I started to change my way of thinking. Whenever something in my life got me down, I tried to remind myself “someone would LOVE to have MY problems.” Sometimes we need to remind ourselves we have it a lot better than others. I have a roof over my head. I have food to eat. Generally speaking my health is good. I’m not battling cancer, my kids aren’t in jail. The list could go on & on.
Now this doesn’t mean I don’t ever get down or frustrated or mad. I do. But when I put my life in perspective compared to what others may be battling, I really don’t have much to complain about. Sometimes I have to look at those around me and realize, I do have it pretty good. I believe this transformed attitude has helped me get through a lot. In the past year I have filed for divorce, had a daughter graduate and go to college, ended one business, started another, moved, and had a couple people swindle money from me.
It’s been a tough year.
A friend of mine said most people wouldn’t be alive after what I’ve been through. I’m not sure about that, but I do know that my positive thinking made a huge difference in my ability to get myself out of bed everyday.
I have a cousin who battles POTS. (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. If you’ve never heard of it, look it up.) She passes out without notice on a regular basis. I can’t imagine what her and her parents must go through. I see veterans who have suffered the loss of limbs. I can’t imagine the struggles they must have each day. I have a friend who is battling breast cancer. She has had numerous surgeries and will take chemo the rest of her life and now facing a divorce.
My struggles are nothing. There’s someone out there who would trade for my life in a heartbeat. I think we all need to remind ourselves of that once in awhile. Then perhaps there would be less people out there griping and complaining about so many things. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a more content, peaceful world being thankful for the minuscule problems we have?
It’s all in your perspective.