People love to complain. For some, it’s just natural. Complaining places focus on a problem but does not offer solutions. The worst part about complaining is that some people tend to complain about the same things for years. Here is a story about a village elder and his advice about complaining. 

Some villagers went to visit the village elder to complain about the same problems over and over again. One day, he got a bright idea and decided to tell them a joke. The complaining villagers roared with laughter. They thought that the village elder was the funniest guy ever! 

After a few minutes, the village elder went for round two of the same joke. A few villagers smiled.

He proceeded to follow up with the same joke a third time, but no one laughed or smiled anymore. They did not get it at all. 

The village elder smiled and said: ‘You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over. It’s just not funny anymore, is it? Why is it that you all complain about the same problems?” 

Complaining puts extreme focus on issues and things you don’t like in life. If you want to feel happy, you need to focus on the things that you love about your life. It is important to be real about it. The world is a terrible place for so many people. Everyone does not have safety as you do. Some people are in conflict zones and have lost loved ones to wars that they have nothing to do with. Human trafficking is a real problem. Some people are kidnapped and forced into prostitution. 

Other people are dealing with cancer and other serious health issues. You are blessed to be where you are and who you are. Place your focus on the good in your life and talk about the things that you appreciate. Your overall satisfaction with your circumstances will increase significantly if you do. 

Terrance Thomas