Do You Take Your Life And Your Situations In Life For Granted?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 3, 2007 1:43am CST
I was just thinking about things in life in general, and not just mine, but all of us. We often get caught up in kvetching and whining about things, yet do we ever really realize how lucky we are? Yes, lucky.
A few scenarios of what I mean:
Typical Complaint Number One:
Okay maybe we don't like grocery shopping for instance, we complain how expensive it is to stock up on food, and we just don't plain like to grocery shop. It's such a boring chore.
But....
Are we ever grateful that we at least have the means to buy food? Okay, we might not be dining on filet mignon every night, we might just be eating very basic hum drum food...But what's the alternative?...would we rather be in some third world country practically starving? Think of it..the food we might have stocked up in our homes and lasts a week for most, other people might not have for a whole month.
Typical Complaint Number Two:
Oh, gee I hate doing laundry, it's such a tedious boring job. Oh I hate to wash dishes
But...just how grateful are we that we have the clothes that we have to wash,..the linen, etc. When some people hardly have any clothes except the ones on their back cause they're homeless. Or don't even have a bed with clean sheets to sleep in, as they sleep outdoors on the sidewalks. As for the dishes...I remember one saying I heard years ago...."Be grateful for the dirty dishes, it means you had food to eat.."
Typical Complaint Number Three:
Gee.. I don't like where I live anymore. It's too small. My furniture sucks. I need a new stove, I need a new refrigerator..I need...{fill in the blank}
But...do we ever give thanks that at least we do have somewhere to live and aren't homeless?
Typical Complaint Number Four:
Health issues..take your pick..this is a biggie..we complain about our aches and pains, our lousy allergies, sinuses, lousy back problems--We just love to dwell on our health problems, and the more we talk about it the more we attract our problems...Then we wonder why we never get better...Is there some deep hidden reason maybe we don't want to get better..cause gee, then we have nothing to complain about--And don't attack me on this as I've been guilty with this myself..that is why I've long since refrain, at least as much as possible to dwell on my medical and physical problems.
But...what's the alternative? Are we ever grateful just to be alive? Okay there are days I crawl out of bed then just want to crawl back in as well and say to he!! with everything...but at least I can open my eyes to a new day..I'm still alive, I still have another day to experience this thing called life and I'm grateful for that. The alternative would be death and sorry I think I want to be around a long, long time.
Okay I know I'm being heavy duty here...But gee, are we ever satisfied? So many of our complaints and whinings are on trivial things...Do we take our gift of being simply alive for granted?
What are you grateful for? Are you guilty of whining or kvetching to much and never appreciate what you have in life..or at least not enough?
11 people like this
25 responses
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Yes-- I know I take things in my life for granted from time to time- All I need is a reality check and I'm back thinking how wonderful my life really is- We are so fortunate- I don't complain about doing laundry- or shopping- I just do it- I love how you put these things into words- I think we all need to sit down and think about the things in life we need to be thankful for!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for..this time last year I was still involved with an eviction issue with my landlord...I won my case...and even though my place isn't exactly a country style estate manor home, it still is MY place to live in...so ever thankful to still have a roof over my head
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Whats life without a little complaining?LOL Its fun but your right we all tend to dwell on things we already have. We always want more! And we are never satified with our life. If people could just be grateful and happy with what they have think how beautiful this world would be! Great discussion my friend!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Glad you like this discussion TerryZ :)
Sometimes a little complaining isn't bad though...it can inspire one to aim for higher goals in ones life--to make changes for the better..no?
1 person likes this
@aidonia (4209)
• Greece
3 Sep 07
I have so many things in my life that make me a happy woman and I know that I must fell gratefully about and I do .......the most of the times.I'll not say lie here.there was times that I forgot and I took everything that I have my all life for granted and many times I complaint for my life,the good thing is that I did only for while after I wake up (the most of the times from small reasons )and I realize again what I have and how gratefully I must be.
I'm sure will come again days that I'll complain for my life but.......only for while,right?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, my friend, sometimes complaining can actually help us realize how grateful we should be..right?
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I am one of those who is truly grateful every day when I wake up in the morning, pyewacket, but you would have to know my whole life story to fully understand why. Suffice it to say that I have been through hell-or something very much like it-and I managed to scratch my way out of the hole. I don't have much as far as material things go, but I do give thanks each and every day for the little that I do have. No, I have never been homeless, but I can imagine how demeaning it would be. I have been hungry, but lived on anyway. I have been without even a tv in the house, but I managed to get back all that I had lost. I very seldom complain unless it is due to serious physical distress. I make a sincere effort to shoulder my burdens with a calm demeanor whenever possible.
As for the many homeless in our country, I think it is a national disgrace. I hear every day how rich our country is, but it is sadly lacking in human compassion. I know that some got to the point they are by behaving foolishly, but there are plenty others who have tried to do the right thing and still come out on the losing end. A radio talk host that I was listening to just tonight addressed his fears that America is losing it's middle class. He said that throughout history when a nation loses the middle class it has led to the ultimate downfall of that nation. I agree with him. There is too wide a gap between the social classes and it does not bode well for us.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Sounds like you have a wonderful attitude toward life in general, even with the hardships you may have had..So different from many people who love to dwell on their problems...I've reached the point where in general to stop complaining about things and just move on.
Yes, we are supposed to be one of the richest countries in the whole and it is a disgrace, to put it mildly that there are so many homeless--the sadder fact is, is that so many homeless were once very successful people at one time and had a good life, but then the tide turned against them..It seems there's a very delicate balance of the haves and the have nots
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, oneandone, life is far too precious to take for granted. I had many of the same experiences due to misdiagnosis of my illness. It took much heartache and many years of being on the wrong meds to get me to the place I am today. All the best.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
3 Sep 07
Thank you Pyewacket! Its so true - its all in our perspective. And its easy to change our perspective if we put our minds to it. Its hokey but I do this thing sort of a twist of something I saw on Oprah. I play a game each night, I come up with a set number of things I'm grateful for - sometimes its for things in the day, sometimes its qualities in myself or other, circumstances the past - I even come up with 'bad' things that have happened in the past and think what positive things came of it, ie being shy as a teenager, encouraged a love of books and introspection - and writing.
And -- even hokier and something I haven't done since a teen, I'm making a affirmation, inspiration, visualization board. You know cut words and pictures from magazines. As a teen the magazines were fluff magazines and now I'm pulling words from Time and Parents and the like. Its fun and it helps me focus on whats important.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I do visualization boards too..been doing that for years. I have a "gratitude" rock..I carry it with me wherever I go..it's just a plain small rock, but every time I touch it, I think of something I'm grateful for...I also have a gratitude journal and write what I have to be grateful for.
I was VERY shy as a kid too...but out of my own shyness came my creativity..so being shy isn't all that bad--I think a lot of very creative people tend to have been very shy in their lives
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
4 Sep 07
Glad to know I'm not the only one doing visualization boards - you know I love the perfect rock - maybe I'll get a rock and etch gratitude on it to feel in my pocket at all times to remind me.
Thank you as always.
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 07
i have a lot that i am thankful for...
i have a wonderful family, a husbands who loves me dearly but tends to irritate me at times; healthy, capable, smart children who sometimes seem to have gone deaf if i ask them to be quiet, or help me in the kitchen.
i have wonderful parents who are still alive, and well... whose life i wish i can make a lot easier if i had more money.
i have a home that shelters us, but i do wish i could afford a bigger one, so that we could all live comfortably with my parents, as well.
i have a good job, that comes with quite a reasonably good package.. but i would be better if they did not have to review my salary every six months... and make me worry if i'll suffer any salary revisions (salary cut).
point is... i am grateful and thankful to God, for all his blessings, and for all that i have - but, we will always want more.. most times for the ones that we love and care for - so, it is not because we greedy or ungrateful for what we already have.... just that we can provide them with better things.
as for complaining about one's health... hmmm...
i am just thankful i am in the shape that i am... and that my family are all healthy, too. my husband loves to whine everytime he has a headache, fever... i guess that's just him asking for my attention. but we should be thankful that we are able to do the things we do - as to compared to those who cant.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
To quote you..."we should be thankful that we are able to do the things we do - as to compared to those who cant..." That is so very true, 4mymak!!
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
3 Sep 07
I never was one to take things for granted, because I always knew that things could change at a moments notice without us ever knowing how it happened or what happened. I am going to treasure what I have now, because it may be taken away tomorro. Case in point. My step-daughter was in a near fatal car accident in January. She's OK, but paralyzed for life. Her life changed in a snap, and now she has to deal with those changes.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Oh my danishcanadian, I'm so sorry to hear about you step-daughter...yes, life can change in a flash..my prayers go to her and to you!!
1 person likes this
@ladysurvivor (4746)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 07
I don't like grumbling, but I change problems that occurring to me as an issue to be thought about and think of why it happened in the first place. I like to reason things, meaning that whatever happens must have some sort of reasons behind it. That way, I can avoid myself from whining and regretting and not concentrating on ways to solve the problems. If there are people who likes grumbling and when I think it is too much to my ears, I would just distance myself from that person. People act differently in this world, we can't change them all. If they like to grumble they will grumble till the end of the world, it won't stop even if I cry with blood tears.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I tend to stay away from the chronic grumblers too, and you're right you can't change another person, if they want to whine all the time they're never going to stop
@mamakat0 (209)
• United States
3 Sep 07
hi pyewactet
to answer your question. yes i did till i had this stroke. now i just take it one day at a time.
how are you? I am hanging in there. my color vision is slowly coming back, but everything is still blury. i go back to the dr. on wed. still having problems with my blood pressure so maybe he will give me something stronger. i still have the headaches but i guess there is noghing i can do about that. a friend came over and fixed my computer so i can read my mail and maybe stay on the computer longer. all i really do everyday now is sit on my porch and bee bored and check my email.
just wanted to bring you up to date.
p.s. could you let katlady and the rest of my friends know. thank you
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Why sure I could do that..
I've been through very challenging times myself, and it was during those times that I learned the real meaning of living one day at a time, since each day is all we have...Yes we can plan for the future but we must live in the now, the present moment and be grateful for it
I'm glad you're "hanging in there"--give yourself time mamakat0--I know you might be bored silly and at times feel frustrated with yourself, but remember you are in your healing phase...see yourself as getting stronger and stronger everyday...and eventually you will be..My prayers are still with you my friend!! (((hugs)))
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Oh boy, am I guilty of complaining about some of the things on the list (and off the list). Though at the same time I do appreciate what I have, even if I'm not rich (money wise).
Here are a few things from my own list of complaints:
I have complained that my oldest son is autistic. But at the same time I am thankful that he is loving, that he can walk, dress himself, and keep himself entertained for hours.
With my youngest I've complained that he is bossy. But at the same time I am grateful he is with us today and that he did not die when he was sick due to a serious bladder infection.
I've complained that I have to use my husband's truck. A single cab that has no ac. But at the same time I appreciate that at least I have something to drive around at all, and that it gets me from point A to B and back again.
So even though I complain about things, I can appreciate them at the same time. :)
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Sep 07
You have a wonderful attitude sacmom!! Yes we complain no end, yet can be grateful at the same time in every aspect of our lives
@BarBaraPrz (47313)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Sep 07
Yeah, I get grumpy and complain about things but back in my mind I know how lucky I am... I may call my place a hovel but it's a far cry from the cold water flat I (as a child) imagined myself living in one day (I read too much O. Henry and Dickens...).
There are people that I know who complain about never having any money, and yet they have a heck of a lot more of it than I do, and they spend it as soon as they get it on unnecessary things... One woman I know must have about 200 pairs of shoes, yet she only has two feet (like the rest of us), and she KEEPS BUYING MORE!!
2 people like this
@pismeof (855)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Let me be the devil's advocate here.You see what I'd like to know is with all the complaining and all the boring chores,lousy jobs,nosey neighbors,aches,pains and all the rest why should we be so grateful to be alive?
What is it that keeps us going?Those brief moments of joy that we experience only ever so often.For most it's probably far and few between.
Ever here the saying"Life's a B*tch and then you Die" ?
Is there some destiny that you need to fulfill?Why is it necessary to prolong the inevitable.What's the point?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yeesh,..you certainly have a negative attitude in life..LOL..Yes, I actually do think I have some destiny to fulfill and its that hope that keeps me going...and makes me happy to be alive!
@thefortunes (2367)
• Netherlands
4 Sep 07
Hi Pyewacket,
Since a few years i started with giving thanks for everything that is in my life the moment I open my eyes...I also have a small notebook in which I write daily my thanks for this and that, and this keeps me in prospective...you know who and what I am following, as you do follow the same :) I am not a saint however and there are times that I moan and groan, and fall into the trap of wanting more of this and that, until I say to myself, ohh girl, think about how much you have already to be thankful for, and than i humbly take a step back and give thanks. It helps a great deal I think :)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes since you and I are on the same "track" of thinking I know exactly what I mean :)
As you know in The Secret, Joe Vitale says be grateful for what you have and it will open and pave the way for more good in your life...it's keeping that positive frame of mind to attract more good in ones life..But oh, yes, I bellyache and moan and groan too at times--hehe
@thefortunes (2367)
• Netherlands
4 Sep 07
Yup, Joe Vitale :) You know, I met him on a seminar given by John Harricharan in Atlanta - February 2001, and back than he was still fat, and not married to his present wife. I was so glad to meet him personally and excited and all, and praised him for his wisdom, and writing style and whatnot. John Harricharan stole my heart and I still owe the guy so much as he brought me to the way of thinking and doing I have since than :)
@gesell03 (173)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
i have thought before of taking my own life and in that moment i knew i took life for granted, im glad i did not do it, i did not devalue something that has been given to me may it be accidental or not, since we are already here we should exhaust our possiblities whichever way we could.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I'm so glad you didn't take your life!! It's sometimes when we're at our worse low, that we realize how precious life is
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
3 Sep 07
Yes and no
I mean I do not complain about doing Dishes and that lol it has to be done
But yes I have to admit I am still very Bitter about the way I am now with my Health which I know I will have for the rest of my Life
How my Life had to change so drastically but I guess you are right I am still opening my Eyes every Morning
So some things I take for granted but others I don't
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Its very hard for me to answer this as I know all the problems you are going through and facing. Don't take this the wrong way, as I'm by no means a Pollyanna type...But try, really try to envision perfect health, that your lungs are clear and beautiful..see yourself as healthy..I know its so-o-o-o hard to do, but so many people by thinking about good health in their lives, despite dire prognosis have recovered from just about every illness going. I've had really bad bouts of bronchitis..I mean REALLY bad --the only way to describe it is that I felt I was breathing through a single straw that was pinched, and I just couldn't breath--my breathing still ain't so grand am I'm a smoker for many years too..trying to quit again..but I still try to visualize my lungs as healthy again--I have my good days and bad too but I just keep at it
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92719)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Somedays I wish I could just soak up the essence of being alive. Too often I don't noticed the daily gifts of life. Because no one has promised me anything. Whatever I have, I should be grateful for. Lately I have had to remind myself of that more often, but still, it isn't nearly enough as I should.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Don't beat yourself up about---being grateful about things in one's life can be hard if you're going through very challenging times..actually those are the times that are the best to be grateful..Here's a good suggestion for you..get some kind of little notebook, then sit down and everyday, write at least five things you're grateful for...It could be something heavy duty to the small...Like being grateful you have a roof over your head, that you have the eyes to see the computer and write here at MyLot...that you can hear music...and on and on...Believe me I sometimes have to work on it too!
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I had a get-away weekend in St. Augustine and had the chance to really try to count my blessings. There are so many I started crying! I can't believe how great my life is--even with all the problems! It was just one of those wonderful times that I am so grateful to be alive, in fairly good health, have wonderful family and friends, etc. I could go on. You really struck a chord with me in this discussion. I am so full of joy these days because my life is so blessed!
Of course, it is easier to count blessings when one is sitting in a hot tub on a lovely summer evening in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I know exactly how you feel..for instance my health isn't one hundred percent terrific at times, but then when I start hearing of all the problems others have, and I mean real gut-wrenching serious issues it makes me think....gee, I'm healthy as a horse in comparison.
I just did an article for AC about how to raise one's self-esteem and be grateful for life, and one was this very idea of what one can be grateful for in life.
@MrPahn (173)
• Philippines
4 Sep 07
Well, I am one of those lucky people too. Just a simple life. HAve a Job, Normal Family, Very healthy, and attractive at times
If I just want to live a simple life, then I would be satified already, I can find a girl to love, raise children, grow old, live in a nice house, probably have a small business, and die..
But i am not satisfied with it.. hehe,, because I wanted to grow big time. I am still young, and there are still plenty of stuffs for me to do.. I am free for good.. So I am not complaining, because I know I can get where I wanted to go.
Ofcourse, there would really be times when you get tired of what your doing. So I'll add my experience on the list
Complain I usually use:
Why Am I living this kind of crappy life?? Can't I jsut be satisfied with what I am now??
Am I not lucky enough for having such life to choose? There are even other people out there who do not have any idea of what is happening to them. They are being controlled of by evil willing ness. You should be proud that you still kno what your doing, and that you are doing it right ^_^
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I think we all yearn for something better in our lives....I certainly do and I still have dreams of accomplishing them. There's really nothing wrong with wanting more in life :)
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Oh yes I sure do. I am human though and do have my moments when things don't go right and sometimes I'll hear a story about someone and their problems and that's when I come back to thinking and count my blessings. We all need to hear about a sad story to bring us back to thanking our good fortune sometimes. It's called human nature but as long as we right ourselves then we're doing good.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I know exactly what you mean here...Like when I listen to a lot of people's health problems, okay I might not be in tip top shape either, but I think wow...I'm really okay here!!
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
3 Sep 07
OK! Im guilty!! lol
I do this with my car, and Im constantly whining and complaining to my husband to buy me a new car, and it doesnt even have to be new, just newer and better than the one I have! Its 20 some odd yrs old and its starting to turn to rust, its squeaks when you turn the wheel, and I just feel really awful when I drive it. Probably sounds petty to some of you, but then again there are people who dont have cars and have to walk to where they want to go. We dont have public transportation where I live, no bus, no taxi, no subway, nothing. Very small town and which is another reason why I want a better car so I can go out of town to visit friends and go shopping and do some of the things I enjoy doing. I dont want to wait until hes home with the truck to do those things. Or my friends are always coming to me which at times is out of the way and makes me feel bad for them having to do that. They say they dont mind and of course not they do it! But still I just feel inadequate about getting around when I need or want too.
But all in all, at the end of the day I do thank God for the things I do have, and the ability to do the things that I really hate doing, as you said laundary, food shopping, cleaning, and the man in my life supplying those things.
Ok so I might have been a bit of a spoiled little girl growing up, and it still seeps into my adulthood, but I think this is a legit whine! lol
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Mmmmm.....I'm one of those that doesn't have a car...LOL...never learned to drive either...and ironically none of my friends have cars either..luckily I live in an area that within walking distance I have access to everything...but I long for the day that I learn to drive and have a car...I can understand though where your coming from--a car is such freedom..to go anywhere and do anything whenever you want....that IS great
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Thanks for understanding! This time we agreed on something Pye! hehe ;)
If where I lived suppored public transportation and things were a little closer to walking distance and we had exciting things to do then I would walk. I dont see how you do it not knowing how to drive at all though! Driving is a huge freedom and priveledge....I shouldnt complain or whine about it....but I do! Im trying to keep patient because my husband works hard to take care of neccessities, and right now a newer car for me is not one of them. For that I am soooooo thankful!!
Have a good day!
