Some people moan too much. If the weather's too hot, they'll moan. If the weather's too cold, they'll moan. If the air conditioning isn't turned down to exactly the temperature... no, not that far, up a degree, oh for heaven's sake can't you even get that right you moron... they'll moan. Everything is flawed, everything is imperfect, and everything is someone else's fault.
Bloggers are particularly good at moaning. My journey into work this morning, you wouldn't believe how bad it was. That new government initiative, it's rubbish isn't it? I've spotted somebody who thinks differently to me, the idiot, here's why they're wrong. Oh yes, if you need an easy target for debate, just pull something (or someone) apart.
Of course not all moaning is a bad thing. Constructive criticism can often be helpful. Complaining about poor customer service is almost always justified. Trying to change the world through the ballot box is the cornerstone of democracy. But for some people, too many people, moaning is a pointless negative emotion which all too easily spirals out of control.
If you're watching a football match on TV, shouting at the screen doesn't make your team play any better. If you're waiting for a delayed train, stamping your feet up and down the platform never makes it arrive any sooner. If you're diagnosed with something potentially serious, griping about it won't make you healthier any quicker. Sometimes you have no control whatsoever over your situation - you're in the hands of others - and moaning really doesn't help anybody.
So today I just wanted to salute those amongst us who have every reason to moan, but don't. Those who surprise others by getting on with their life where others might expect them to grumble. Those who know that some things are better faced up to than confronted. I hope I'd be like that if I were ever in a similar situation. And, if I were, at least now I know where I get it from.
