A number of years ago Psychology Today ran an article about a man who committed 3 hours a day, for 10 years, to complaining. Each day he'd call, write, or talk to someone about what he thought was wrong with the world. Rather than changing anything, the article concluded that the only result of this exercise was that it made the man incredibly miserable.

Complaining is a habit that is highly contagious, especially when people work together in an office or at a job site. When you are surrounded by complainers it's easy to become one yourself.

1. THE WHINER - This person wakes up negative. Morning is his time to "rise and whine." (I recently saw a bumper sticker that said "I will rise... but I refuse to shine!) The whiner's favorite phrase is "It isn't fair!" He feels that everyone else gets all the breaks in life.

2. THE MARTYR - This person's favorite phrase is "No one appreciates me." The martyr is a pro at throwing pity-parties. When they don't feel good, or when they are under pressure - they let EVERYONE know it. When the martyr dies, he wants his tombstone to read: "I told you I was sick!"

3. THE CYNIC - uses sarcasm as his most common form of communicating. He feels that nothing will ever change so what's the use in making the effort? Cynics rarely make a difference with their lives. They just pretend they are somehow morally or intellectually superior to everyone else.

4. THE PERFECTIONIST - This person is unpleasable. Nothing is ever good enough. His favorite phrase is "Is that the best you can do?"

"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as people of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights." Phil. 2:15 (LB)
Until next week...

FOL#57