Oh absolutely Jill! I definitely know how it feels to want a sympathetic ear. We all deserve the chance to vent or rant, or whatever. But there comes a point when it's no longer a vent. And I notice this with myself... I'll vent once. Then I'll need to vent again. Then again. And I'm not feeling any better. No matter how often I vent, I won't feel better. So what I'm really doing is complaining.
Sometimes we really do just have to decide to change our thinking about something. If my many rants aren't helping me, I know it's time to become proactive. I notice when I'm proactive, that I don't feel the need to vent as much. In fact, usually not at all because I'm making changes.
Sometimes there are just things I can't change. Like my husband being grumpy all the time because of work. I used to complain to my girlfriend nearly every day about it. One day I just got sick of hearing myself, and when she asked how he was I said "he's fine." and I changed the subject to something that was pleasant to talk about. It wasn't going to change my situation, so why bother LOL.
I just don't want to get bogged down in all the negative stuff. I want to be happy. I want to see the silver lining. And sometimes it's a struggle. Sometimes I just have to make myself be happy anyway LOL.
