Arise

The problem with not complaining is that the people, places and things about which one formerly would unhesitatingly complain haven’t taken a corresponding pledge to stop being annoying.

No, seriously.  People keep disappointing, distracting and distressing.  Stores still have cluttered aisles.  Jar lids still obstinately resist opening.  And here I am, vowed to refrain from moaning.

Since I’m still committed to this, even though I’ve proven that I cannot, in fact, completely foreswear complaining, I’m having to re-examine my internal response to the circumstances which still prompt a gut reaction properly called “complaining”.  I’ve spent the first six months of this year identifying all behavior that can properly be called “complaining”.  I’ve reflected on new ways of looking at those events which would previously have drawn complaint.  Now I”m trying to internalize a different attitude, over-riding nearly six decades of being a die-hard complainer.  I’m trying to rise above the road on which I previously walked, and spot a new path on which to travel.

In short, I’m still struggling to emerge from my chrysalis and spread my wings.  Stay tuned.  The butterfly will find her way out of the darkness and into grace.

8 thoughts on “Arise

  1. Karen Carmack

    Can’t Agree More, thoughts from a self proclaimed ” Bright-Sider”.
    I have so enjoyed reading your blog on a daily bases or I should say when the old Facebook decides to show me your post, which is now more frequently since you are on my radar.
    I have a little story for you about complaining. Several years ago there was a Minister that developed the little purple “Complaint Free” bracelet to wear and I believe if you complained you were suppose to turn it over so you could not see the words ” Complaint Free” until the next new day. As you can tell in my unsureness I did not participate in this program because I really did not care for the man at all but that is another story. Anyway one Sunday morning my BFF and I were walking our 7 mile walk and as we crossed the road I looked down and saw the lil purple” Complaint Free” bracelet on the ground and it had been ran over several times. We stood over that bracelet and had a real good laugh about the who, what, where and when did someone just say screw this and rip off the complaint free band and throw it on the ground. I tell all this because I believe we are suppose to feel the feelings of disappointment, irritation, frustration, pissed and any of the other ” Complaining” tag words but our duty is to not be so reactive but be more observant, just as you stated we can not be totally compliant to the world around us. If we were we would never be aware of the new measurement of self-growth. I believe that we have these gut reactions to the feeling of dis-approval because we may have grown to expect more , not so much from others but for ourselves. I think it is ok to expect more from others like your family nucleus, but we do out grow certain people, places and activities just like we out grow clothing, eating habits, and shoes. I look at these new feelings of complaints just like Zuzu’s teacher say, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. I too am receiving my wings to live my next 50 yrs as a Wise Crone.

    artifax
    kscarmack

    Reply
  2. Joyce (the grateful PUMA)

    Y’know, I’m still not sure I agree with this totally complaint free trip. Yesterday, we stopped off at a Steak ‘n Shake. Everything, and I mean everything about the meal, took forever. It got very frustrating and both of us said that we weren’t going to come back to this place.

    As we were leaving, I (brazenly, but quietly) asked the cashier if they had a shortage of workers today. “Yes”, he said, “did you have bad service?” Resisting the opportunity to spill my frustration in great detail, I simply said yes.

    He replied that he wished we would have told him before we paid, as he would have compted our meals and that he was sorry for the delays. Recognition!!! Accountability!!! That’s what we want.

    He asked me to hand him one of the gift cards on the wall. A bit surprised, I did, and walked off with the $10 gift he put on it. surprised, happy, understanding, my complaint resolved.

    As we walked out, I asked my companion how much the check was and he said $16. I resisted the temptation to complain that I was shorted $6, laughed and walked out happy.

    Maybe that’s what you’re looking for CC?

    Reply
  3. ccorleyjd365 Post author

    Joyce, if you are okay with how you expressed youself to this clerk, I woud not presume to judge. Personally, I don’t think what you did could be described as “complaining”. He asked, you answered, honestly and respectfully. It’s all good. I love that Puma wisdom.

    Reply
  4. Cindy Cieplik

    “I’m trying to rise above the road on which I previously walked, and spot a new path on which to travel.”

    I love this line, and may just use it to quote you when the opportunity arises. I love reading your posts for the wonderful writing style you possess, as much as the content.
    Your writing lifts me up. Thank you!
    I have a lot to say about the subject of complaining, but not the energy to do so at this time.

    My philosophy supports whatever one does to consciously and deliberately spiral higher /evolve to the very best person they can be as they define that, and further, they get to decide the vehicle, without judgment from others, or the need to justify their chosen “path.”

    Reply

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