Mustn't grumble

No, really. I mustn't! I need to stop behaving like an angst ridden teenager and realise that life, on the whole, all things considered, at the end of the day, isn't half bad. Actually it's pretty damn fantastic. It's just that we, I get so caught up in the little things that irritate or annoy me that I forget how small they actually are. And how much I have to be thankful about.

A couple of conversations this week have reminded me of this. As a good friend suggests, when asked how I'm doing, I should really be saying 'Fantastic! Just wonderful, thanks.', instead of 'Not bad' or 'Fine'. Even 'Good' would be an improvement.

Because when you, I stop to think about it, my life is really great. I have a job that pays a good wage. I may not particularly like every minute of it, but at the same time, no-one is exploiting me, I don't get daily abuse in the course of it and I get a considerable degree of freedom to choose what it is I do, hour to hour and day to day. I have a safe place to come home to at night. I don't have to worry about what might be waiting for me when I open the door (apart from cat sick that is!). I can live without the constant fear of death or injury, rape or torture. I can express whatever views I want without fear of recrimination or oppression. I have my health and I have good friends and family who love and care for me. I don't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from or make the choice between a roof over my head or clothes on my back.

Sadly the same can't be said about all people, in this country and abroad. There are people who's lives are bad, stressful, unhappy, unsafe, poor and afflicted. We, I should remember that next time I find myself saying 'What a nightmare day I've had'. It's unlikely to be true - and I might just feel a bit happier and at ease with everything if I could remember that every once in a while.