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Close the Book


I read the following sentence this morning while paging through a periodical. I closed the book of complaints on the management of the universe. 

It stopped me like the yank of a seat belt when slamming on the brakes.  Oww!  Stop complaining about institutions, corporations, the traffic, the weather, long lines, homelessness, poverty, the war on women…    

My book of complaints is long and tedious.  There are complaints that started years ago and I have been repeating with each new day.  Some are common refrains and some are particular to me.   The point of view is always the same.   It is a concentrated focus on what is wrong with this picture.  I consciously venture into positive space at least once a day and look at what is right and good.  Yet, old habits are hard to break and it is easy to fall back.

On looking over the book, I see that most of the complaints are completely out of my control.  Literally, the only thing I can do about them on the global scale of my complaint, is complain.   But, each complaint has a micro level that I could address.  I wonder what I could achieve if I could close the book.

Less energy expended in anger and negativity.  Perhaps feeling more alive and excited about life.  Definitely more peace and less discontent with my situation, whatever it is.  Maybe more space and time for creativity.  Possibly new ideas on how to help instead of just treading the same ground explaining what is wrong.  It's a well-worn path, and stepping off into the weeds is daunting.  I would be away from the pack, looking for positive solutions and finding a new perspective.  I could be forging a new path. 

At the very least I would feel better.  All outcomes could be the same, and yet my journey would be brighter, more enjoyable, and more peaceful by looking for the blessings on the way.   

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