“Don’t allow yourself to be heard any longer griping about public life, not even with your own ears!”
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.9
Is there anything more grating than hearing a child (possibly your own), who has everything they could ever want, complaining about wanting something else? Ugh.
Or hearing some celebrity — with a life that you and I can only dream about — complaining about how hard their life is under the glare of the cameras and the high-pressure obligations of luxury? Groan.
Now consider that at some point in your life, someone who can only hope of someday achieving your standard of living has heard you complain about your daily difficulties. Someone with a much less fortunate position in life has had to endure you griping about some first world problem that you’re ‘afflicted’ with. Cringe.
And what does complaining even do for the situation? You already know the answer.
But here’s the real question: what does it do to you? What does moaning about your life (especially the parts that are outside your control) do to your psyche, to your soul? You know the answer to this too — it brings negative vibes and ugly frames of mind.
Complaining is draining. And it deflects responsibility from the person who should assume it, the person who makes their own damn choices — you. Fill your life and your mind with positive intentions instead!