Excuse me, are you done complaining?

Being from a latin-based mediterranean country, complaint is all around me. It seems to come second nature to us. Not to generalise or anything, but we seldom seem to be able to keep our feelings to ourselves.
That, some would argue, is actually a very nice trait to have in society because people are more straightforward and thus, more often than not, you get people’s real opinion. Except NO. What actually happens is that people complain about things, life in general or OTHER PEOPLE but not directly AT or IN the situation that caused them grief. Just to others. They will seldom act on their complaints either. Mostly, they just want to vent and gather some sympathy before moving on — and, truth be told — it does seem to be cathartic as a process. However, there is the question of:
Did complaining about everything and everyone else ever get anyone anywhere?
I really don’t think so. Except for the occasional stand-up comedian that can build a career on a line-up of “You know what I really hate…?” bits.
Constantly complaining will never make the world wake up and go: “you know, we haven’t been fair with so-and-so, therefore from now on everyone will only treat him fairly and never give him reasons to complain”.
How does the saying go? Everyone wants change, but no one wants to change? So wether it’s sitting in traffic and complaining about other commuters or beginning each conversation complaining about something a mutual acquaintance said or did to you recently… please THINK TWICE — don’t be “that guy”. You know, that negative-seeking, all-knowing, bad-mouthing grouchy pants. We all know one. And if you feel like you personally don’t know one, watch out, because it may be you.
Many testimonies of people saying goodbye to such practices of negativity, recount the changes that occurred in their lives. Focusing energy and putting effort into positive conversation and thoughts can actually be life-changing. You see things in a new light, you focus on all the good stuff around you instead of letting happy moments go by unnoticed, just because you were still dwelling on something bad that happened 3 hours ago.
So count your blessings, enjoy every victory no matter how small and look ahead always as if the best was still to come. It is. Just make sure you’re in the best mood possible, when it does, otherwise you might miss it.
Now that I’m done complaining about people who complain a lot (I know, it’s a paradox), I’m going to pet a dog and have a cup of coffee — because, you know, it makes me happy!