Woe is me…..Womp Womp  

We all need to complain at one time or another. We call up our friends and let the gates of self-pity loose.  Whah!  “I can’t take it anymore”, “why me?” and my personal favorite “what did I ever do to deserve this?  these are all very popular topics for a good old fashion venting session.  Finding a friendly ear to listen can be some of the best therapy available, added humor is even better if you get some.  No co-pay, no weekly trips to a therapist…just a phone call and a compassionate ear. However, this so-called “compassionate ear” for some, has been extended to Facebook, Twitter and whatever other virtual “ears” may be available for some listening displeasure.

I’m beginning to think that the virtual ears are being used to invite 100 plus “friends” over for nothing more that a big ole pity party.  Think about how easy it is to write a Woe Is Me status on your wall and within seconds you’re receiving instant compassion, advice and sometimes even prayers to get you through your “crisis”, without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Who needs a therapist?  now that we have the social media solving our problems and feeding our needs…one click and a time.  No need for human connection, or dare I say PROFESSIONAL answers, not when we can get all we need from our “friends”, most of whom we rarely see in our “real” lives.

While these people are using their Facebook for some sort of attention seeking vessel, it is slowing sucking the life out of everyone else’s page. My page has a welcoming tone, a little political at times; an occasional funny photo, inspirational quote or music selection; humor and of course a dash of sarcasm; a page of pleasure if you will. So for me, it’s exhausting reading one dramatic post after the next as if they are planning for an apocalypse and frankly it leaves the rest of us looking for signs of fires and locusts. Therefore, unless its life-changing in some way or perhaps you have an actual date and time for the apocalypse, please tell the negative committee that lives inside your head to shut up. Negative draws negative and can turn the most beautiful of people…ugly in an instant.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
– Oprah Winfrey

Hey, I’m not always Patty Positive (far from it) and I’ll be the first to admit that Debbie Downer has nothing on the Negative Nancy that has taken over me at times, even with the knowledge that it’s not healthy. This is why it is so important to take a moment to appreciate the people, places and things that surround us every day. This is what keeps the Debbie’s and Nancy’s at at distance, sort of the same way garlic works on  blood-sucking vampires, positive thoughts keep the emotional vampires at bay.

Gratitude can be magical and when we take the time to incorporate into our day, it has the power to change our lives. Positive words and thoughts attract more positive people and circumstances.  Take a moment today to notice your fortunes, decide how you can reduce the negativity in your life, begin appreciating every day and as always…..Enjoy the Ride!