Ten Things I Regret Complaining About

I've been a bit of a downer lately. I've also been a great big ball of stress and worry, thanks to my daughter's diabetes. But no one should know better than me - a confirmed optimist - that it's time to look at the positives God has given me in my life.

There's a meme going around that says something like, "Dear Naps, I'm sorry I hated you growing up." Well, I was always a nuisance as a child about making sure I got my sleep. (My lucky parents!)  So while that letter does not apply to me, there are a few other things I'm slapping my head about.


1. Christmas Taking So Long to Come
Noooo! Slow down! I would like to breathe. I would like time to take in the season and think about the Reason. All of a sudden, we're in the middle of December. Maybe because when I was a kid all I had to do in December was open a window on the Advent calendar. Granted, I get my cards & presents done early, but there are cookies and food to plan and prepare. I would like to just sit back and look at our tree or drive around looking at lights, thinking about how they reflect the true meaning of Christmas.

2. Laundry
In our family of 5, I am doing laundry more days than I am not. Yes, I am glad we have an assortment of clothes to choose from, but this point goes beyond that. Time doing the laundry is time that I can stand up and get away from my computer, putting my hands to another use. Also, I tend to use that "brainless time" to make phone calls. So, doing laundry is almost like taking a break.

3. Cleaning Out the Fridge
This chore used to make me gag. I didn't keep up with it as much as I needed to. Now that I am better at throwing out expired items, I can take the time to see how blessed we are to have what we have. (It also feeds my inner need to organize things the best way I can. Like Tetris!)

4. My Body
I have a new motto- I do my best with what I've got. I live with the consequences, good or bad. No excuses. Age is going to happen, but it happens to everyone. 

5. Nothing on TV
To me it seems like there IS never anything good on TV anymore. (Other than sports, IMO.) As a child, this was a problem, because I wasn't much of a reader. Now, it's almost a relief that there isn't anything on TV that I want to watch. Every night, I can relax with my computer and write books and wonderful blog posts like this. (Taking a break on Sundays and Monday nights for football, of course.)

6. Working
When you aren't happy with your job, it's hard to get up in the morning. I had a few jobs like that. But now, I love all the jobs I have. True, I only work part time, and so I get to sleep a little later than most people do, which is a big plus. But beyond that, Mondays make me very happy now.

7. School Days
Mondays make me happy for another reason too. My kids go to school. Don't get me wrong - I love my children. But I am excited about the opportunities they have in school. You see, I loved school in the early days, and I am glad they get to experience that too. Of course, as I got older, and school got harder (and earlier), I started to complain. No more. (Added bonus - peace and quiet at home to get MY work done.)

8. Things Not Placed at Right Angles
I am still OCD about things being organized in a neat and orderly fashion. But it has rubbed off on the offspring. I noticed it as my daughter threw a fuss at a restaurant when her chair had to be pulled crooked to let a few people through. She needed it to be straight. I can understand her discomfort, but trying to keep up with her compulsions as well as mine is keeping me quite busy. (I should have kept that complaint to myself.)

9. Being Bored
Oh what I wouldn't give for a little boredom! (Read: Time to myself with nothing pressing on my plate.) I'm trying to remember why boredom was such a dreaded circumstance when I was a kid. Why didn't I take more naps?

10. Rain
I'm not sure how or why this changed, and of course, it does not hold true when I am on vacation. But now, I treasure time sitting in my chair with a warm beverage, looking out the window. And how relaxing it is to snuggle up under the covers, listening to to the caress of the raindrops on the roof above my head. (Another reminder that I have a cozy bed and roof over my head.) Sleep is never really a problem for me on such nights.


This list was actually tough to compile, because I usually feel justified in my complaints. Don't we all? But finding what I did helped me realize that God has blessed me more than I tend to think, as long as I'm looking for it. How about you?

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