When things aren't exactly going our way, we have a tendency to harp on the negative. Unfortunately, this makes us lose sight of the fact that there are positive aspects to these very things we complain about.
Take your job, for example. Chances are there are things you might dislike -- if not dread about it -- from your obnoxious boss to your paltry benefits. At the end of the day, though, it still helps you put food on the table and a roof over your head. It might be the ideal job, but it certainly beats being unemployed. Plus, you can always look at it as a stepping stone toward something better.
As far as relationships, we it's normal to have gripes about our partners. They're lazy. They don't take care of themselves. They don't do the little things anymore. They fritter away their money. But for every negative quality, we're bound to come up with a positive one. Perhaps he or she is a good parent, an attentive friend, or a charitable soul who does lots of charity work.
Moreover, it's important to try see the big picture, as hard as that may be when, say, you're upset with your boss or partner for something they did that rubbed you the wrong way.
Yes, our job and significant other are far from perfect. But they enhance our lives in ways we sometimes may take for granted. Remind yourself that this storm, just like those of the past, shall pass; it is just a transitory hiccup. better days lie ahead, and you probably won't remember the incident in a year's time.
Of course, once it becomes apparent that the job or individual is more trouble than they're worth, it's probably best to test your options.
But don't let negativity impede your ability to be thankful for the good things and people in your life, even if they might frustrate you at times. Sometimes we become so preoccupied with thoughts of venturing over to the other side, where the grass is presumably greener, that we fail to appreciate what we have. What's more, we may later find the hard way that we had it a lot better than we thought.
Be thankful for your blessings. While you should never settle for less, you should not hold unrealistic expectations either. Everything and everyone -- from jobs to partners -- brings its own unique set of flaws.
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