This is how a conversation with a complainer goes when you try to get them to not complain.
“I hate this class; we don’t learn anything; thing thing thing; I hate this school.”
“Then take a different class.”
“I need it for my major!”
“Then change your major.”
“I want this major!”
“Then go to a different school.”
“I need to be close to my family / I can only afford this school / I don’t have a good enough GPA to transfer / thing thing thing.”
“So your situation cannot be modified in any way, according to your terms, in your opinion.”
“Yes!”
“So if it can’t be changed, why bother complaining? Why not make the best of it, or increase things that make you happy?”
“You’re so right!”
“… Okay, then let’s do it.”
“And then I have this other teacher who won’t give me a break! The other day….”
“…”
****************
I do not understand people who complain.
Why?
Does it make anything better?
Because it doesn’t look like it.
“Those people need outlets, Josh.”
Okay, well is there no other outlet?
Is this the only outlet they can use?
I am frustrated with my financial situation; my outlet is killing people.
How’s that?
“That’s an extreme and negative example, Josh. When people complain, they aren’t hurting anybody.”
Physically.
They’re not hurting anybody physically.
But they are being annoying, which pushes away other people, and they are focusing on the negative things in their life, which is just not good to do to oneself.
**
There is a balance in everybody of good and bad.
Positives and negatives.
If you have a lot of negative in your life on that balance, you ADD POSITIVES to the other side.
You do not TALK about the negatives.
If I get bit by a rattlesnake, I do not TALK about the poision; I inject myself with the cure.
The positives do not have to directly counterbalance or equal the negatives, either.
If I don’t like a class, just because I cannot affect the class does not mean I can’t go to the movies (or something), and add a positive that way.
**
If you are frustrated with things, go out with your friends.
Don’t complain a lot, because then you’ll lose friends who a) don’t like negativity, b) disagree with why you’re complaining, or c) will go look for people who are more fun.
Losing friends = more negativity.
You see how that works?
**
Stupid people at work / in class / anywhere?
LAUGH IT OFF.
Because that’s what people who are stupid / do stupid things are: JOKES (see: not to be taken seriously).
Lot of homework?
Nothing else you can do except doing it.
NOTHING.
So do it, and have fun before/after/while you do it.
That’s all you can do.
****
“Josh, you’re complaining about people who complain.”
You’re right.
I’m gonna go have a Hot Pocket.
Posted on April 27, 2010
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