A Complaining Society
Complaining, everybody does it.
You hear it from BBC Breakfast every morning and from your parents every evening.
Human beings just love telling each other the things that make them angry, which seems to be everything.
There is a broad range of topics people recall with bitterness throughout the day. The arrogant boss at work, the nerve of the Government after the VAT increase, or something we should even be grateful to have; the weather. How many times have you heard someone complain about the cold this week? It’s only winter, nothing new. Yet it is a very popular target for criticism.
Us westerners have so much and generally live very cosy and fulfilling lives, but it has become part of our culture now that there must be something that spoils the week and that it is our duty to make sure as many people are told about it as possible! On a more serious note, it is this kind of negative, infectious habit which causes events like the protests over student fees, especially the trouble in London. If only people were more positive, issues like student fees could be dealt with properly and there would be no violence due to the understanding of students that these, indeed are hard financial times (this being another subject of complaint).
Instead of greeting someone with a muttered remark concerning your own well-being, why not start off with a smile and a joke? The psychological impact of these small, positive actions should not be underestimated and a little bit of effort to show some optimism every day can really make a person a positive influence on the world.
Norway has been ranked with the most satisfied citizens three years running. It’s not a country which is particularly wealthier and obviously the weather isn’t fantastic all year round. So what makes the people of Norway so happy? In my opinion, it is their culture of looking for the good things in life and putting value on the things that really matter. Your career is not the most important thing in the world, neither is your financial situation. To be truly happy, we must let go of these things and focus our minds on what really matters. Stop complaining. I do realise the irony in the fact I am complaining a little about complaining, but things need to change and I hope that the UK is full of more “happy” people in the future.
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2 Comments – Post a comment
tommy b
Commented 3 months ago - 5th February 2012 - 15:04pm
very well put :) someone once told me that "campaigning without a solution is just complaining" and that is why the occupy protest didn't create a big enough impact.
Sprout Editor
Commented 3 months ago - 7th February 2012 - 17:45pm
Welcome to theSprout Bluebrie. Firstly, I must say that I love your username, I love both Blue Brie (sometimes called camembert) and also blueberries and your name reminds me of both!
I felt I had to leave a comment as I've thought a great deal about this topic. Positivity breeds positivity and complaining does the complete opposite. It's very draining to complain all the time. Of course, there are some very legitimate reasons to complain, but there are somethings that aren't worth wasting the energy on.
I love your line 'I hope that the UK is full of more “happy” people in the future.'