The thing in my life that I have the least tolerance for is whining. I much prefer working to resolve a situation in my life than to complain about it. Sometimes, when I hear someone complain about something, I have to stifle the urge to respond. We all face difficulties; it’s the people who work through them without complaining who command my respect.
Fortunately, I have literally nothing to complain about nowadays. I’m retired, so I pretty much do what I want when I want to do it. However, my low tolerance for whining still stands tall.
I am part of a couple of online forums, in my fields of interest. I glance at a few others, particularly during breakfast when there’s still some coffee in the cup. There is a tennis forum that I read, and I make a comment when I have something thoughtful to say, maybe a few times a year. During my BMW ownership days, I followed a couple of those forums; I read some helpful comments about a few concerning “Beemer” issues. Now that I own a quick Mustang, I read that forum. I know about other forums that other people follow, but my time is too important to spend more than a fleeting glance at that, mostly to see which poster is in need of psychiatric help. It’s right up there with checking to see that my name is not in the obituaries.
I truly believe that we have become, way too much, a nation of whiners. I never voted for Obama, but I did not whine when he won, twice. I got on with my life. Did you not vote for Trump? Too bad for you, and yes he is often an arrogant, self-serving lout, but don’t whine. I did not whine when Joe Biden was elected. Again, I got on with my life; Joe Biden was not going to show up and mow my lawn, or shovel my snow. Did you whine when Kamala Harris lost? Sorry about your luck.
The Internet has become a haven for those who would prefer complaining rather than working to resolve issues. Sure, there are some things in Clearfield Borough that I would like to see be done better. I don’t have the expertise to help change that, and it’s not like the Borough is flush with cash. Moreover, I would not run for public office; that ship has sailed. I shook my head when I was asked a while back to run for the CASD School Board. I didn’t want to have to change my phone number, in order to avoid the whiners.
I recently wrote that I was willing to be the “New Alexa.” It could have been my new career. Perhaps another career path would be to moderate an online forum.
I could call it “The Mike Gripe,” though I would have little tolerance for whiners. You’re not happy with things in Clearfield Borough? Well, shut up, and run for Borough Council. You’re not happy with something at the CASD? So, run for the School Board.
Not a day goes by that I read an interesting, thought-provoking, or heartwarming piece on the Internet, where that article makes it through the day without a negative or a whining comment. I just read a wonderful piece about someone who taught in the Augusta, Georgia school system, but also worked as a chauffeur at Augusta National Golf Club, the home of The Masters. Yet, some commenters had to make “Uncle Tom” themed comments, and others equated golf clubs to “Trump Disease.” Never mind that the story mentioned that the chauffeur’s father worked as a caddie at Augusta National, and when he was short of cash to pay his son’s college tuition, the club stepped up.
God forbid that these whiners are reproducing, and raising their children to be like themselves. Though, I suspect that it is indeed happening. No wonder so many young people are messed up nowadays.
Probably the worst of the worst in this regard are the “Clearfield Live/DuBois Live/Treasure Lake Live/Caledonia Pike Live/Elk Dropping Live” Forums, etc., etc. If you want to quickly become morose, go ahead and read such forums. If you choose to comment, then you just might have Forum Derangement Syndrome. It’s even worse when the commenter hides behind a pen name; that’s about as sorry as it gets. Everyone has the right to make comments, whether I like it or not. Though, hiding behind a pen name is a sign of weak character.
The best advice that I can offer to such afflicted people is this. Get off the internet, shut your pie hole, and go do something that’s fun! You will feel a lot better.
If you still want to whine, let me know. I can give you some of my nice smoked Gouda cheese to go with that whine.
