PART II - If Life is So Good, Why Do We Complain So Much?

By: Keith Renninson
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:24:52
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I keep hearing in news reports that constant complaining, political or otherwise, and overall frustration are all the result of the current Washington administration, the economy, gas prices or possibly the latest antics of Tom Cruise...well, I’ve got my own theory about the topic and it is pretty simple.

We are inundated with news any more, and you get contradictory reports at every turn further confusing the issues, but one that I caught my ear the other day told of the decrease in vacation time that American's take each year. Sadly, we are down to an average of eight days…per year!

That’s an astounding figure.

I remember when I was a child, which, granted, was a long time ago, my Dad worked a lot as a supervisor at an explosives plant (talk about stress), and deservedly got a good amount of time off each year. By the time I went off to college, he was up to six weeks a year, and believe me, he took every bit of it. He had been employed with the same company for four decades at that point and had earned the vacation time, but it was available and it was used.

Mike Kelley, my co-author in our book "Zooch the Pooch, My Best Friend" recently returned from a week off playing at a major softball tournament and said he hated taking time off because of the huge workload he faced upon returning.

I don’t think Mike is in the minority in this perception. I also surmise that many people don’t take enough time away so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Once on vacation, because it is so short, most don’t fully relax and can't re-charge themselves mentally and physically.

The old saying, “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy” was very accurate, but it should have said, “makes Jack angry/cranky/frustrated, etc.”

Ultimately, the blame for this doesn’t lie in societal regression, lack of government programs or the price of gas…it remains a personal problem, which needs to be addressed by each of us individually. We don’t need to complain constantly about everything in life, exhibit road rage, or rudeness to family, friends or strangers. Taking responsibility for our personal well-being should be easy, but I think we’ve forgotten how.

It’s not selfish to take care of yourself, if you don’t, please don’t expect someone else to, because in the end it’s you who are accountable for your choices and decisions.

Making time to rest, I mean really rest, is important to many aspects of life. Pushing hard in work, recreation, personal goals, and for family is natural, but there comes a time when you have to kick back, relax, re-energize and make time just for you and your needs.

Sure, many of you say, that’s easy for you to say, you’re single, and no kids, but I retort, because of that I’ve become a workaholic and spend upwards of 12-14 hours each day on my businesses. To combat the stress of this, I ride my bike thousands of miles each year or work out at my health club regularly. Relieving stress can come from time off on a real vacation or by burning off the stresses of life through activities that have a social aspect.

I still think that “vacation time” which translates into time away from home, work and things that are familiar is necessary… and I hope to take one of my own soon.

So, don’t complain about everything, take time off to look at life with fresh eyes, which are filled with gratitude, love of life and it’s Pawsibilities.

In the end, it’s just one man’s humble opinion…mine.

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