Complaining

I dislike complaining for complaint's sake. I feel this can become a habit. It is a habit that undermines progressive thinking and actions.

 

A simple rule of my own practice is this: If I complain, I must try to fix or resolve without delay.

 

This has made me a letter-writer and phone-caller when I see a problem that is within the purview of government or business. I make it a practice to not delay these responses to bad situations. I have written or reported by phone things from smelly buses to snotty clerks. I see this as my responsibility to the society at large.

 

As far as complaints about my own state of being, I follow the same rule. If I feel unwell, I do something about it. I do not dither or deny. If my independent attempts to deal with the complaint are unsuccessful, I go to a physician or other health care provider. If nothing can be done, I stop complaining and do something to cope with the chronic situation. I accept that this 1950 model of male human body has a lot of mileage. It isn't going to be painless and trouble-free forever.

 

Chronic complaining is a symptom of depression, or deep unhappiness. It is a difficult habit to break. It convinces the complainer's brain that he/she is impotent, a hapless victim. What could be more toxic to personal development?

 

A humanist cannot spend time complaining. Being a practicing humanist entails being practical. My personality and my environment will not develop or improve themselves without effort. Complaints may be useful diagnostic tools for focusing on specific problems or issues to be addressed. But stale complaints, repetitious litanies of what is wrong with life, serve no purpose without accompanying actions to improve life.