Perspectives

I'm not sure I've ever realized how much complaining and gratitude go hand-in-hand. Or rather, where one is present, the other is absent.

When we complain about something, it highlights the fact that we are not grateful for the current situation. And when we are grateful, we surely aren't complaining.

And I REALLY never realized how much this has to do with perspective.

Last night I went to a small gathering where a girl shared her story. Like me, she has an almost-7-month old baby boy. Unlike me, her pregnancy was full of complications - bleeding, hospital visits. And the result of it all was a smiley, happy baby boy...who has spina bifida. The gal who shared is an exercise fitness instructor. Her husband is equally as active. The two of them spend their free time rock climbing, bike riding, hiking, etc.

As the girl shared her heart with the rest of us, she spoke of real emotions like anger, confusion, resentment, fear, and most of all, sadness. The sadness was first for herself and her husband, but now her sadness extends to her son and for the difficulties he will face and obstacles he will have to overcome.

There was not a dry eye in the room when she finished sharing.

Of course, her story didn't end with her son being born with a disability. She continued to talk about her love for her son and the small signs of hope he shows with the progress he makes.

One thing struck a chord with me.

Perspectives.

This girl strives to live a life of gratitude. It was inspiring. She talked about how tough it is to hear people complaining about the amount of playing time their kids get in sports, when hers will not ever participate in regular sports. Others complain of even smaller things, and her son may never even walk.

However, his girl said as tough as it is to hear people complaining about what seems like trivial matters to her, she has realized she can't blame them. Or change them. They don't have her perspective. They don't know what her situation is like; they don't have her perspective on life.

Instead, this young mother spoke of all the things she was grateful for. There are many people who can't even get pregnant. Others who know the heartache of a miscarriage. (And, she joked, some who simply want a date!)

Gratitude vs. complaining. She has chosen to be grateful.

I know that my perspective in life is unique to me. My hope is that I can use my perspective to reflect an attitude of gratitude, and not one of complaining.