“First World Pains” a.k.a. Perspective on My Whining

I’m sure I’m not the only one: has it ever happened to you that you spend your whole life never hearing of something, then you hear it once and all of the sudden it’s everywhere?

For example, I felt that way when I learned about the whole “Thirty-One” business.  Also the show Downton Abbey.  I’d never heard of those things, and all of a sudden people were talking about them everywhere I turned.

So it was just a few months ago that I saw a Pin about this concept of “First World Problems” (or “First World Pains,” if you’re on Twitter).   It’s a tongue-in-cheek way of reminding us privileged Westerners of the high standard of living that is built into our everyday complaints.  For example:

• I forgot to charge my iPod before I left home so now I have to listen to the radio in the car.
• The barista put whipped cream on my mocha after I specifically said “No whip.”
• My refrigerator stinks because my vegetables went bad before I could eat them all.
• My baby grew out of her clothes before she had a chance to wear all of the cute outfits I had in that size.

So you get the point.  It’s all in good fun, but it’s been a seriously helpful reality check as I listen to my own complaints throughout the day.  I don’t deny the inconvenience of the moment, but it’s a good perspective to remember that there are many blessings implied even in my complaints.

About a week ago I took this a step further and started thinking in terms of “First Wife Pains.” How many of my complaints about my husband come from the fact that he’s set the bar pretty high in our home?  The examples came readily:

• He cooked breakfast for all of us but left a dirty pan on the stove
• He dressed Abby in her illl-fitting jeans
• He forgot to sign out of Facebook on our shared computer
• It’s taking a long time for him to get my kitchen cabinets painted

Again…I think my point is clear.  How many wives would love to trade for my complaints!

Thinking in these terms doesn’t mean that I never get annoyed or frustrated, but it certainly does take the bitterness out of much of my complaining.

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