Flopfoot:
That is what a priest told me once when I confessed to complaining too much. Most commonly I complain when I have to do work around the house or yard (although I still do the work). I also complain often in conversation, telling people what has annoyed me lately. They don’t always let on, but I guess they don’t really like it, with me always looking at the half empty cup. This is probably one of my oldest problems (not surprisingly - I’m sure all of us as children didn’t like doing the housework), and I wonder if it’s something that I can avoid just by a sheer matter of will, to be aware not to voice what I don’t like about the present situation (particularly when I’m asked to do work)… or is there something else I have to do / can do about it?
I used to complain a great deal. ( when I was younger ) Not when
I had to do work, but when I was cranky, or didn’t like my exe’s
friends. Or, when I didn’t get my way. I thought to myself after
it was kindly pointed out to me by my dad, and my husband: "
see how awful you sound? " “Why not put on a happy face, and
do things even if you don’t want to?” Handle things you are given
with a humble atittude, and with a mild personality. Alot of us
have to do things, work or otherwise that we don’t like doing.
When Iam cranky, it is usually because my back is sore, and
my hip hurts, or Iam plain tired out. I want to complain, but then
I think of how hard my husband works after a long day, and I put on my happy face and am quiet when he comes home.If we all
decided to not do things we didn’t want to, then nothing would
get done would it? We can’t expect others to not be irritated when we complain about things. The best thing to do is to talk out your
feelings, or write them down in a journal. A journal is a good idea.
I keep one myself. You can do this, if your a journal type person.
Write down exactly what your wanting to complain about. Keep
track of your moods, and so on. Tell yourself, you’ll adopt a less
complaining type personality, and as you practice it, and go over your journal in 6 months, you can look back on it, and say, “wow,
I have come along way!” It does help! Also, note peoples reactions
to your changing, it helps because it gives you an indepth look
into your own personality. You can also ask family members to
help you out, or a loved one. or even a friend. When they see you
wanting to complain about something, ask them to direct you onto
something else that gets your mind off it. Get a good self help book. Here is something to help you out as well when you feel like
complaining, and I try to remember it as much as possible because it stops me from wanting to complain. Think how Christ never complained when He carrried the cross, bleeding and scourged! Think also how He never complained when they were driving the nails into His hands and feet. This will help humble any
attitude. Believe me. It works for me! Keep a positive attitude, and
best wishes to you!
. This way, in the light of the little way of St Therese, all chores, all actions are sanctified by offering them to the Lord Jesus. Remember any work we do, we are working for God. To pick up a piece of paper from the floor for love of God and love of others is a holy action when offered to God.
