Recently Viewed By
Posted January 2, 2012 by Henry Robert Kimball in 12 Step Spirituality
It is important and freeing to know the difference between a problem and a complaint. It is only if you can turn a complaint into a problem that the complaint can be removed. If you find that your complaint cannot be classified as a problem than you have no solution. Problems always suggest solutions. Complaints only want an ear.
I don't believe that I should get on any other bandwagon other than the one that says, "Hank is a problem". Not because I am some kind of 'monk' or enlightened soul. It's because I know it's the truth. I have to stop looking outside of me for the cause of all the trouble in the world. When I had gone to my first AA meeting; my guide had looked directly in my eyes and told me that what he was going to tell me was the most important thing he could. He said; " It doesn't matter what anyone else does in the meeting. I don't care if the speaker from the podium is shooting up heroin and drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels as he speaks; if you get to a new comer and at least offer your phone number, it will have been an awesome meeting." It bares repeating I was almost done with step 9 when I had gone to my first AA meeting. He was talking about the same thing I am here. If you claim to live by spiritual principles; and being useful to others isn't your primary concern; then you are not living by spiritual principles. I don't care what your circumstances are. It is a fight between our spirit and our flesh; NOT ourselves and something outside of us. All God asks of me is that I TRY- honestly to put the welfare of others in front of my own. It's not about being perfect or even success. Being the problem in my life IS the GOOD NEWS. Thank God I am the problem. Imagine if others were the real cause of any discomfort or problems in my life? It would follow then that "they" would be in complete and absolute control over me; and I would only have peace and contentment IF they allowed it. Not only am I the problem; but within me is the solution. It DOES NOT matter what ANYONE else is doing in the WORLD. How do you treat the people around you? The paradox of people that put others needs before their own wants; is that these people have NOTHING to complain about; and always have enough. They are content, and wish to change nothing about there own personal circumstances. I can't think of a better state of being.
(I have just gone back and re-read some of my past blogs. I noticed a few grammatical errors in them. I've been proof reading as I go. I just noticed there is a difference proof reading after a blog is complete. In the future I will try to have more conscientiousness. I'm am sorry; as it just makes it harder to understand a blog, that grammatically sucks. It is careless.)
I don't believe that I should get on any other bandwagon other than the one that says, "Hank is a problem". Not because I am some kind of 'monk' or enlightened soul. It's because I know it's the truth. I have to stop looking outside of me for the cause of all the trouble in the world. When I had gone to my first AA meeting; my guide had looked directly in my eyes and told me that what he was going to tell me was the most important thing he could. He said; " It doesn't matter what anyone else does in the meeting. I don't care if the speaker from the podium is shooting up heroin and drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels as he speaks; if you get to a new comer and at least offer your phone number, it will have been an awesome meeting." It bares repeating I was almost done with step 9 when I had gone to my first AA meeting. He was talking about the same thing I am here. If you claim to live by spiritual principles; and being useful to others isn't your primary concern; then you are not living by spiritual principles. I don't care what your circumstances are. It is a fight between our spirit and our flesh; NOT ourselves and something outside of us. All God asks of me is that I TRY- honestly to put the welfare of others in front of my own. It's not about being perfect or even success. Being the problem in my life IS the GOOD NEWS. Thank God I am the problem. Imagine if others were the real cause of any discomfort or problems in my life? It would follow then that "they" would be in complete and absolute control over me; and I would only have peace and contentment IF they allowed it. Not only am I the problem; but within me is the solution. It DOES NOT matter what ANYONE else is doing in the WORLD. How do you treat the people around you? The paradox of people that put others needs before their own wants; is that these people have NOTHING to complain about; and always have enough. They are content, and wish to change nothing about there own personal circumstances. I can't think of a better state of being.
(I have just gone back and re-read some of my past blogs. I noticed a few grammatical errors in them. I've been proof reading as I go. I just noticed there is a difference proof reading after a blog is complete. In the future I will try to have more conscientiousness. I'm am sorry; as it just makes it harder to understand a blog, that grammatically sucks. It is careless.)
Hans Gunther wrote at January 5, 2012
0 Votes 
I would much rather hear about a problem rather than a complaint, but sometimes people just need to vent.
Henry Robert Kimball wrote at January 5, 2012
0 Votes
Sometimes, some people BELIEVE they NEED to vent. It is ok to whine to me for 1 minute, then one needs to start living in the solution or stop talking about it. I am not talking about grieving. That is different. I am primarily refering to complaining about people, places, and things not going the way one wants them to go. This is selfishness and dishonest, at best. It is negative and life sucking to all who tolerate it in themselves and others. But if you want to listen to it; you can,as long as you like. I thank God I have friends that wouldn't let me whine. They love me enough not to let what I might think stop the love.
Ivan Braginski wrote at January 4, 2012
0 Votes
Complaining is pointless. Nothing good comes out of complaining.
Sarah Johnson wrote at January 3, 2012
0 Votes
A complaint and a problem are very different. This post reminds me of when I would have to fill out class evaluations in college. I had a professor that said, yes I want your feedback, but if you have a problem write down a possible solution don't just complain!
Allen Jones wrote at January 4, 2012
0 Votes
In my view, a complaint is just someone yakking on and on while a problem is something you can solve with logic and possibilities.
English (US) 