Complaining, Whining - the root of unhappiness explored
Came across this in a fax of all things!
"At the root of complaining is thinking that the situation could be better. At the root of satisfaction is being aware that the situation could be worse. In almost all instances things could be worse and they could be better. To master happiness a person needs to have a constant awareness that things are better than they could be". - Rabbi Pliskin (Gateway to Happiness)
Okay - so kvetching, compaining, whining - has led to serious dis-satisfaction in my household of late - apartment is too small, neighbor's dogs/puppies do not stop crying (seriously turning my animal loving family into dog haters - not generalized - just these specific chihuahua mixed breed hell-hounds), lack of funds to pay bills, slow work, the list goes on...
The pursuit of zen, the bible/torah - all the wisdom states - FOCUS ON GRATITUDE! Make a mental Gratitude list - One of my clients asked if this really works - Yes! It does!
I always start with a Gratitude list - what I am thankful for - and I do not compare myself not to my immediate neighbors, friends, clients - then I will surely see all that is lacking in my life. Where is my house with white picket fence or rather - a modern, green LEED certified abode?
NO, I compare myself with the other 85-90% of humans living on this planet - the ones without shelter or leaky roofs/shanties, no heat/fresh air, fresh/clean water, lack of food/variety, clothing/shoes, the ones in areas of peril/war/violence - and my life seems GREAT! I am full of awareness of the plenty and possible excess that exists in my life.
So Rabbi - I thank you for your reminder and my mantra today is: "I have no complaints whatsoever" - Shabbat Shalom!
"At the root of complaining is thinking that the situation could be better. At the root of satisfaction is being aware that the situation could be worse. In almost all instances things could be worse and they could be better. To master happiness a person needs to have a constant awareness that things are better than they could be". - Rabbi Pliskin (Gateway to Happiness)
Okay - so kvetching, compaining, whining - has led to serious dis-satisfaction in my household of late - apartment is too small, neighbor's dogs/puppies do not stop crying (seriously turning my animal loving family into dog haters - not generalized - just these specific chihuahua mixed breed hell-hounds), lack of funds to pay bills, slow work, the list goes on...
The pursuit of zen, the bible/torah - all the wisdom states - FOCUS ON GRATITUDE! Make a mental Gratitude list - One of my clients asked if this really works - Yes! It does!
I always start with a Gratitude list - what I am thankful for - and I do not compare myself not to my immediate neighbors, friends, clients - then I will surely see all that is lacking in my life. Where is my house with white picket fence or rather - a modern, green LEED certified abode?
NO, I compare myself with the other 85-90% of humans living on this planet - the ones without shelter or leaky roofs/shanties, no heat/fresh air, fresh/clean water, lack of food/variety, clothing/shoes, the ones in areas of peril/war/violence - and my life seems GREAT! I am full of awareness of the plenty and possible excess that exists in my life.
So Rabbi - I thank you for your reminder and my mantra today is: "I have no complaints whatsoever" - Shabbat Shalom!
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