“I DO have a boo-boo!” “I DO have a boo-boo!” On a recent 10-hour flight, my wife and I heard this scream about a hundred times…no exaggeration! I’m thinking to myself, “If I was your dad, I might consider other forms of a ‘boo-boo’ to give to my screaming child.” As we endured the commotion, we could not help thinking of people who get stuck in a complaint cycle. Let me explain. Whenever life starts to go sideways, instead of learning and moving forward, some fall back into a familiar cycle. “I had a tough childhood.” “My marriage is difficult and will never get better.” “This always happens to me.” “I’m no good.” “Things will never improve.”
Now, I do not want to discount the difficulties of life that we all face. I also recognize that some deal with more hardship than others. But at some point, if you want to get healthy and stay healthy, the pattern of complaint has to be broken. It might be something that a gifted counselor or life coach can help you navigate. But for some, it might be as simple as making healthy decisions.
1. Look for joy in everything. It might take some hard looking, but it is possible.
2. Spend a significant time in prayer, especially when you feel the old cycles returning.
3. Don’t traffic with negative people. You might have to find new friends.
4. Find solutions instead of focusing only on problems.
5. Be thankful.
I did not doubt that the child on the plane had an actual “boo-boo.” I don’t have doubts that you, too, have your share of “boo-boos.” But don’t live there. It’s not good for you. And it’s not good for those listening for a 10-hour flight.