Grumpy Old Folks Complaining
Dear Retiree: Quit complaining please!
The author of this book is the same guy who started the Complaint Free World movement (and bracelets below)
Are you one of those Grumpy Old Folks complaining all day, every day?
As older adults, we need to become less critical of ourselves — and others too!
We all need to stop complaining about the world and people around us... it only serves to push people away from us, right?
We all have our own set of values based on our lives: education, experiences, etc. While having values is great, there’s also a risk of getting stuck and assuming others should be and do the same as us.
It’s important to realize that there’s no single way to live a retired life or view the world.
However, You’re limiting your personal growth and enjoyment when you expect others to live according to your rules. Think about it — isn’t it a little bit fun to color outside the lines? to eat dessert instead of lunch?
If you’re hard on others, you’re also probably hard on yourself. Your own happiness suffers. It’s time to relax a bit, be comfortable in our own skins, and LIVE LIFE without expectations.
Life is simply more enjoyable when we accept others and ourselves.
Years ago, when I was still working, I bought some of those rubber bracelets (purple color) for a cause: Complaint-Free World. I still have a few, the rest I passed out to people I knew.
I am not talking about the multitude of legitimate retirees with anxiety or depression. Many find my site and find comfort in knowing that others have not yet found their way in retirement... and they are not complaining, they simply need direction and help.
You were supposed to switch the band from wrist to wrist every time you caught yourself in a complaint. At first, it’s a pain. In no time at all, you noticed you weren’t switching any more — because you also weren’t complaining. Your thoughts changed!
I challenge YOU to do the same:
Be aware of your thoughts. Everything has a beginning. Before you can make critical judgments and before your voice a complaint, there is a thought. This is your cue to change your thought process. Be more open-minded…
STOP for five seconds and take a deep breath. In most cases, you’re safe until you open your mouth. When you find yourself feeling judgmental, stop and take a short pause. If the 5-second pause doesn’t work for you, mentally shout NO (don’t yell, yikes! just think NO very loudly), to interrupt your thought pattern — before you say something you might regret.
How many times have you wished you could take back something you’ve said? That doesn’t have to happen again in the future.
Everyone, including yourself, is doing the best they can. Everyone has their own unique past, tragedies, upbringing, health issues, and way of viewing the world. Faced with the same experiences, you might live life as they do. Be tolerant…
you only make yourself stressed with your thoughts.
Let go of your expectations. Having expectations is a form of trying to control others. Become more flexible.
Enjoy your retired lifestyle - whatever it is! This is a great opportunity to be patient and understanding with yourself and others. THIS is how you will find new friends… and maybe not those you’d expect to find either.
Make an effort to learn more about someone you don’t like. You might find that your first impression was incorrect!
LIFE IS GOOD — stop complaining, stop being critical — and just LOVE LIFE!
Grumpy Complaining Retirees...
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