Before You Complain about Life Again, Read This

A simple reminder that your ordinary life might be someone’s biggest wish.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Woke up annoyed this morning. Alarm too early, bed too comfortable, Monday too Monday.

Then scrolled past a post about someone who didn’t wake up yesterday. Just went to sleep and that was it.

Made my complaints feel stupid.

What We Forget While We’re Busy Complaining

You got out of bed today without help. Walked to the bathroom. Saw yourself in the mirror. Heard sounds. Tasted coffee.

Someone would trade everything for any one of those things you didn’t even notice this morning.

You’re stressed about work while someone just got told they have six months left and would give anything for your boring meetings. You’re annoyed about traffic while someone’s relearning how to walk. You’re unhappy with your fridge contents while someone’s skipping meals because they can’t afford both lunch and dinner.

We’re really good at forgetting what we have until it’s gone.

When Everything You Hate Becomes Everything You Miss

My friend’s dad had a heart attack last month. Survived, barely. Two weeks in the hospital.

Know what he said when he got home? “I never realized how beautiful my boring life was.”

His annoying commute? Missed it. His stressful job? Couldn’t wait to get back. His small house? Felt like a palace.

Nothing changed except almost losing it. Suddenly, everything he complained about became everything he was grateful for.

That’s perspective, it usually shows up after the scare, after the loss, after you can’t get back what you took for granted.

The Week That Changed How I See Everything

Visited my grandma in the hospital last week. She’s 82, been through more health problems than I can count.

She said: “I’d give anything to go grocery shopping again. To cook. To do laundry.”

Things I hate. Things I avoid. Things I’d pay someone else to do. She’d trade everything just to be strong enough to do them once more.

Made me realize I’ve been complaining about a life other people are praying to have.

What I Started Doing (Felt Weird But Actually Helps)

Every morning before checking my phone, I list three things that work. Not big things. Just things.

I can see. I can walk. I have water. My body functions. I have a bed, food, a roof.

Sounds basic. That’s the point. The basics are everything. We just forget because we’re too busy wanting more.

Doesn’t erase my problems. But makes them feel smaller. Like yes, I have stress, but I also have legs that work and eyes that see and a heart that beats.

Someone would give everything for any of those.

Not About Guilt, About Perspective

Your stress is real. Your problems matter. I am not saying they don’t.

But while dealing with your problems, maybe notice what’s working. The things you’re taking for granted. The normal life someone else is dying to have one more day of.

Not every day. Just sometimes. When you’re complaining about Monday or traffic or your job. Remember, someone didn’t get a Monday. Someone would love to be stuck in traffic because it means they can still drive. Someone would take your job because they physically can’t work anymore.

Your boring Tuesday? Someone’s answered prayer. Your regular problems? Someone’s begging for problems that normal.

We only value what we have when we lose it. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Value it now. While you have it. Before it’s gone.

Someone’s final wish is one more day exactly like yours..