As the title says, I am getting fed up with all the negativity around. The whole world is whining about something – the economy, politics, weather… and while I am not saying that these things are unimportant (because they are important in many ways), I am just saying that it’s time to look on the positive side for a change.
I think, that as a race, we humans are overly critical of everything. Take Britain and the weather.
At the moment we are having a cold snap – there are several inches of snow in the northern areas of Britain and on any high ground and the rest of the country has bitingly cold wind and rain. Last week we had a heatwave that was as hot as a british summer gets in an average year.
As I crossed the playground to pick up my children from school this afternoon, all I could hear was “I hate the cold. I hate the rain. I want the sun back.” from so many people (including myself) that it kind of blurred together. These were the same people who (when it gets really hot in the summer) say “It’s too hot. I wish it would rain. I wish the wind would pick up and cool me down”
The whine hurt my ears and it started me wondering. Why are we humans so critical of everything?
Why do we complain so much when things aren’t just right and when they do go right, we just say gloomily (like Eeyore from Winnie-the-Pooh or Marvin the robot in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) “It won’t last for long. Make the most of it while we’ve got it.”
I came across this meme on Facebook:
I realised in a sudden flash of inspiration that not only have I been criticizing myself for years, but we humans have been crticising ourselves for years.
Why?
Well, on a personal level, I critcise myself in order to make sure I don’t get too big headed; after all, I am a qualified teacher, I have been to university and I am intelligent and creative (only the facts, ma’am) so I knock myself down to stop myself floating away!
In fact I have trouble remembering to stop criticizing myself every-so-often and praise myself for what I have actually achieved.
I am a healthy, wonderful mother of two healthy and beautiful children.
I am the much loved partner and soul mate to a gorgeous, creative man.
I am a good writer and a persistent Jewellery Designer-Maker who *will* be successful in my pursuits.
I am Many things to Many people and I love all of those whom choose to call me Friend or Family – I have lots of love to share!
So why are we humans criticizing ourselves?
Whose approval do we have to gain to see that we are wonderful creatures (like every other inhabitant of this planet), a miracle of Mother Nature and an improbability that is unique and different to every other creature on this planet.
Those of you who are religious will say:
“God [Allah/Jehovah/Shiva/Buddha/Jesus…delete as appropriate] is the one we should be pleasing.”
Why?
We are told as adults that we do not need the approval of others to be who we are. So why should we need to seek approval from God as a race?
I’m sure that statement and question will have annoyed a few people – should you wish to discuss the post, do it quietly in the comment boxes provided…
I don’t think we need approval of anyone except ourselves. If we feel happy as a Race or a Species that we’re doing well, then that should be enough, surely?
Well, no actually. That point would hold true if we (every human) did feel happy, but as a matter of fact, we are not a happy race.
Why?
Because things are not well on this planet.
There are greedy people who want more than they could ever need. There are starving people who need more than they are getting. There are sad people who have lost more than they should and there are silent people who watch and don’t say a word / can’t say a word.
We are a species divided by the worship of material things and those material things do not make us happy. They bring heartache and war and deceit and fear.
So what will make us happy?
If I knew that, then I would probably be the happiest woman alive…
“He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Events will take their course, it is no good of being angry at them; he is happiest who wisely turns them to the best account.” – Euripides
The World of The Teigr Princess 