War Against Whining - Will It Ever End?

by Randy on March 2, 2008 · Comments

Times are bleak … the world is in peril … the judges on American Idol don’t have a large repertoire of feedback beyond “Dawg, Dude … it’s kind of pitchy” “Your Amazing so just hold on to your dreams” and “That was horribly karaoke and you look like a haunted wombat” … we demand change!

YOU … yes YOU are being called on to serve the world by combating the evils of whiny-ness by coming up with no less than 10 things to be grateful for.

I know, it might be difficult … nay even to the point of personally sacrificing snarkiness and whining for a whole five to ten minutes.

BUT if Randy Thomas can stop whining for the time it takes to come up with a list… anyone can!

Just do it, and don’t go for only the obvious, k? … Here I go … ::: Pulling goggles down over my eyes and taking a deep breath :::

Long naps on Sunday afternoon
Having my own home
Baby Lizards are cute
Signs of Spring are all around
Pictures of family and friends (awwww….)
My soap opera name is Maximilian Kensington ( you can just call me Max)
I am grateful to live in the United States
Fresh Air
New Co-workers tomorrow
And of course the Triune Nature of a God who exists in every moment as if it were Now. (read … eternal.)

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Tami Gill 03/02/2008 11:50 PM 1 point
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Great list, Randy! This is so fun! Okay here goes, in no particular order:

1) A husband who has stayed by my side for going on 9 years, despite the fact that I do NOT deserve him.

2) Two adorable children who make my heart melt just at the sight of them.

3) Two parents who have supported me with love, encouragement and, yes, money throughout my entire life.

4) A job that pays enough for me to support my husband and kids while my husband is in law school full time.

5) A trip to Orlando, Florida, my favorite place on Earth, with the best weather anyone could ask for.

6) Javier Bardem :-)

7) Sharp intelligence to make-up for my lack of discipline (thank you Lord)

8) Friends who have loved me despite my inability to be a good friend in return.

9) Social networking applications which allow us to meet and develop great friendships with amazing people like Randy.

10) Most importantly, for the God of wonders beyond our galaxy who has given the greatest gift to all that will accept him - eternal life, and who makes all of the above 9 things even possible.

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Randy 03/02/2008 11:59 PM 1 point
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1-4 awwwww. That's awesome.

5 ... you betchya!

6 ... ? Is that your soap opera name?

7 ... you are a smart one you are.

8 ... love that it automatically turned your 8 into a Mr. cool.

9 ... awww again, you're nice. I am glad to know amazing you too.

10 ... amen!

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Tain 03/03/2008 12:07 AM 1 point
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"1) A husband who has stayed by my side for going on 9 years, despite the fact that I do NOT deserve him.
7) Sharp intelligence to make-up for my lack of discipline (thank you Lord)
8) Friends who have loved me despite my inability to be a good friend in return."

You don't know me, and I don't know you, but be careful, hon. Being too self-critical, and having 3 of your top 10 things that you are grateful for being related to something making up for your own shortcomings... It won't do anything but knock you down. Your husband and your friends are in your life because they see something in you that they want to include in THEIR lives. If you focus on the reasons that you don't deserve these relationships, then you will never be able to experience them and appreciate them to their fullest. If you constantly examine the world through a lens that says "I don't deserve these good things, I don't deserve these relationships, I need to make up for these flaws" then you will not be able to appreciate what YOU contribute to the situation, and the impact that you can have on the world will be hobbled by your own lack of self-confidence. You intelligence may very well allow you to be less disciplined, you may not be the perfect wife, and you may not always be the best friend, but it is obvious that you are a positive force on the world around you, or those relationships and that intelligence would not exist or factor into your life. So keep your chin up, and be grateful for who you are, not just the parts of your life that "make up for" or "overlook" the things you aren't.

Just a random 2 cents worth.

Tain

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Randy 03/03/2008 12:12 AM 1 point
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Ok Tain...good eye, so ... where's your list :)

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Eva 03/03/2008 12:12 AM 1 point
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I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!!!

1. For spring flowers that are starting to bloom and put a smile on my face every time I walk out my front door.
2. For my nieces and nephew who light up my life!
3. My home sweet home that is mine all mine (well, along with the mortgage company's!)
4. For parents who made and stuck to a commitment to raise me in the church - to be faithful to church - even when I know there were times they didn't feel like going.
5. For second chances - and third - and fourth - and fifth - from a God who is patient with me and never gives up on me.
6. For Reeces peanut butter cups - they are very yummy!
7. For so many wonderful, amazing friends that bring so much support and joy to my life.
8. For a job that enables me to do so many things, as well as an abundance that I'm able to spread to others.
9. For music! Oh, how I love to get lost in a great song - belting it out at the top of my lungs!
10. For technology that has brought the world closer together and introduced me to so many awesome people I would never have met without it.

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Randy 03/03/2008 12:19 AM 1 point
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#3 I hear ya sister. #5 & #6 ... raising my and to bear witness
#10 YaY \o/ <<-- Happy Randy Dude

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Randy 03/03/2008 12:19 AM 1 point
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that should be raising my hand in witness :)

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Eva 03/03/2008 12:30 AM 1 point
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It's all good. I know what you mean.

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Tain 03/03/2008 12:33 AM 1 point
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:) and here I thought that'd get me off the hook....

1) The friends in my life that care so much about me

2) The family that has finally reopened communication

3) A consistent source of good food thanks to my college meal plan

4) A warm, safe place to sleep at night in my dorm

5) The confidence in myself I am gaining from my experiences with various student groups around campus

6) The warm sun and cool breeze that told me today that the snow on the ground will be gone soon

7) The education that I am getting now, which is informing me, broadening my mind, and causing real self-examination, and overall helping me to grow as a person.

8 ) That deep, untouched forests and mountains still range in many places, so that we can experience their beauty

9) The music that I can close my eyes and get lost in

10) The number of random acts of kindness that occur every single moment of every single day

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Kenny Warkentin 03/03/2008 01:31 AM 1 point
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great idea Randy

10 things....

1...Jesus...Glorious Jesus...cause, he made me free

2...Paula...my beautiful wife...who share freedom...and is gorgeous, talented, and the love of my life.

3...A house to call our own...in 12 days...we can't wait.

4...parents, who love me, who stand with me and share life.

5...my mom, who shared her story with Paula and I for the first time last week. She's AMAZING...and has a great story.

6...A cat names Xica (Sheeka)...the most amazing cat ever.

7...Blair Whittcomb...my soap opera name...kinda reminds me of a blonde, surfer, with a british accent.

8...A job that allows me to share my faith, and testify of the Greatness of God.

9...breath, sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch...thankful everyday.

10...great friends, amazing church, and art...the music of the soul.

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Laura Leigh 03/03/2008 10:24 AM 1 point
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1. Dishwashers
2. Long-term friendships
3. The Chronicles of Narnia books
4. Bridges of all kinds (musical bridges give songs interest, dental bridges allow people to chew again and their teeth don't get all spacey, the Clark Bridge that seems to be telling me my life purpose, the Millau bridge in France...)
5. Beautiful stationary
6. Long evenings of conversation accompanied by coffee
7. Live music
8. A God (whose image we bear) who doesn't wipe us all out but devises plans and schemes schemes to bring the banished one near (2 Samuel 14:14)
9. The smell/feel of the air as a thunderstorm moves in
10. Roads less traveled

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Joyella 03/03/2008 11:41 AM 1 point
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Okay Randy, thanks for the draft ;)
1. Everyone keeps saying "a house all my own".... but I don't have one, However, I am thankful for a RENT-FREE apartment on a beautiful piece of property right next to my folks.
2. The way my daughter twirls around in the dresses I make for her.
3. New dresses.
4. A cozy, comfy bed to sleep in every night.
5. My 3 kids, they make all the sacrifices worthwhile.
6. Trees, all year round, are just so amazing to me.
7. The ability to dance.
8. The feel of sunshine on my face, especially in the midst of a dreary winter.
9. My dorky minivan that lets me cart my children where ever we need to go.
10. Girlfriends who think I'm "awesome" ;)--they are awesome too!

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Charmaine 03/03/2008 11:48 AM 1 point
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Hope I can just jump in here..

It is easy to fall into complaining and into a negative way of thinking but then we can wake up to a new day and recall to whom we owe our very lives and then ask the Father to infuse us with positive thoughts and a heart of rejoicing for our God saves and renews the hearts of all!

Here's my list:

1. Forgivness (Christ's gift)
2. Family
3. Freinds who never give up on me!
4. Health
5. A roof over my head
6. A job that allows me to share the Gospel openly!
7. A car that runs.
8. Mature christian influeneces to rely on for wisdom.
9. Freedom to express my Christian veiws without persecution (physical).
10. Eternal Security

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Mike Turner 03/03/2008 12:59 PM 1 point
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My 10 things I'm grateful for:

1) No addiction to ANY television show... or TV at all for that matter! (Stuff it, American Idol!)
2) My wife is pregnant with our 4th child, and we've never had to deal with a miscarriage. Every pregnancy has been successful and healthy, although the wifey sure has a tough time with nausea.
3) Great health benefits (ref #2)
4) Wonderful work environment.
5) I belong to a great church body of believers.
6) No car problems.
7) The Grace of God despite life circumstances.
8) I love my iPod.
9) I have the privilege of going to the gym to blow off steam and feel healthy a few times a week.
10) I am healthy and physically capable.

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Randy 03/03/2008 04:48 PM 1 point
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Great list and I totally understand #9.

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Randy 03/03/2008 04:49 PM 1 point
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Awesome list Blair!

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Randy 03/03/2008 04:51 PM 1 point
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#5 I did not know that about you. Good to keep in mind.
#6 I totally knew that about you.
#9 love that too.

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Randy 03/03/2008 08:19 PM 1 point
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#1 swwweeet
#2 cuuute
#8 that's cool

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Randy 03/03/2008 08:20 PM 1 point
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Of course you can. We are glad you did ... great list :)

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Randy 03/03/2008 08:21 PM 1 point
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Hi Mike, great list, but I think #1 was a little whiny :)

American Idol rocks!

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War Against Whining - Will It Ever End?

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