Life is good, but occasionally we get frustrated and begin to complain. This isn’t all bad, because frustration can often be the spark that causes us to take action to improve our life. However, we get into trouble when we focus solely on what is frustrating us and develop an attitude of complaining.
We may justify our complaining by pointing out how bad things are, but here’s a thought to consider the next time we feel like complaining: someone in the world would gladly trade places with you.
Consider this:
| You think… | Someone else thinks… |
| My job sucks. | I’ll trade with you!
I’m currently unemployed and would love to have a job right now. |
| My marriage stinks. | I’ll trade with you!
I’d love to be married and willing to work out our differences with a spouse. |
| I’m old. | I’ll trade with you!
I’m 32 and have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I’d love to look forward to growing old. |
| I’m fat and out of shape. | I’ll trade with you!
I live in a country where we rarely have enough to eat, let alone have the ability to choose a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet. |
| My life is boring. | I’ll trade with you!
I’d love to have the freedom and resources you have to choose how I live my life. There’s so much I want to do, experience, and learn. |
As you look at your frustrations through the lens of how others view them, your situation starts to look a whole lot better.
The next time you find yourself having adopted an attitude complaining, stop and consider how many people would love to trade places with you. This thought will likely give you a new perspective on your situation as well as refocus your attitude.
Cause Something to Happen 