It is a magic Morning on this part of Planet Earth! It rained last Evening, with a great display of thunder and lightening, everything is fresh and bright. Truly, a remarkable Morning.
Yesterday was an amazing day. It was very windy all day. I usually don't like persistent wind, but there was something wonderful, about sitting on the deck, hearing the roar in the tree tops. The Sun shown all day and the temperature reached 78F. Towards dusk the wind died down and the rain came.
We have a bird bath about twenty feet away from where I was sitting. The bowl was down, leaning against its pedestal. Every Autumn I slide it off its pedestal so the water won't freeze solid and crack it. It has been freezing most nights, so I haven't got around to put it back on its pedestal and fill it with water [it must weigh over one hundred pounds]. Yesterday, as I was taking my ease on the deck, two chickadees landed in a lilac bush next to the bird bath. First one flew down and landed on the pedestal, looked into the slanted bowl, and with a glance up to me, which seemed to say, "Where is my water?" Then the second bird repeated the moves. Needless to say, I had to get up, and with help, get the bowl back on its pedestal and fill it with water. Do we underestimate the intelligence of our fellow creatures?
I think I wrote about happiness a couple times. A while ago, I read [I think on Facebook] someone recommending taking time from complaining. I don't remember the recommended time, whether it was a day, a week? It predicted significant benefit. In any case, it got me interested in paying attention to my complaining. I no longer took complaining for granted and paid attention to the effect on my consciousness.
There is complaining and complaining, and there are many shades, however all complaints hint that, someone or something, is doing us wrong. When we complain we are railing against the universe, Source, fate or each other. I suppose a complaint can exist without a hidden accusation. I an not sure, I listen to myself and others, generally, there is a message that it must be somebodies fault.
At the least, complaining is a message that 'all in not well with my world'. When we are going along hoping to be happy, how does it work when we remind ourselves 'all is not well'? We are, also, planting the seed in others minds 'that all is not well with us'. Since our minds create, that can be a powerful message.
The other side of complaining is that it is a call for love. But it is tricky. One time we hear a complaint, we may respond with love and compassion, another time, it can be off putting.
There is a lot to say on this subject and I don't want to focus on others complaints, as much as I want to focus on how my complaining affects me. Sometimes it can be just, the discharge of some negative energy off into the universe, but even then, there is an accusation in it. I know that if I get up in the Morning and complain about one little thing after another, Jamie will conclude I am crabby. How will that set up her mind for our relationship? Of course, if she mentions it, I will deny it and claim, I am just complaining to hear myself talk. Am I lying? Perhaps.
It seems, it is much the attitude as the fact. Sometime a complaint can be humorous and can add rather than detract. Other times, the same words can have a deadly effect, as someone takes the complaint to heart.
Part of paying attention to my complaints, is that I decide not to. Hey, this world is my creation. Why should I be criticizing a work in progress. I can't see where things are going with every brush stoke and chisel mark. I realize, I need to have a little faith, in this work of art, called my life; and it is turning out great.
I have been off and on giving up complaining. It is freeing. I need to be more consistent. Try it. I think it is best, to first pay attention to how much you do it. Then try giving it up for a day. See how it goes. Don't feel bad when you backslide. You will. Complaining has become addictive, for some of us, and we need to be gentle and loving in our process of giving it up. A sense of humor is invaluable.
If it works for you, as it works for me, you will feel lighter every time you pass up an opportunity to complain. You will judge yourself less and will be less inclined to judge others.
Did I mention, you will discover. you are happier?
Love and Peace, Gregg
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