WHINE
[hwahyn, wahyn]: to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way: He is always whining about his problems.
The problem with whining is that it makes you think you feel better about a problem or situation. As if by sniveling about how badly your back hurts, your back will stop hurting which of course it doesn't.
The Whine Flu, as in any flu, just makes you feel bad.
I am currently battling the Whine Flu. It started October 10, 2010. I was at Austin City Limits Music Festival and started to feel ill. The next day, I was sick. And for the next nine days I was sick. My voice was like Barry White. I was clammy, sweaty and had the energy of a three-toed sloth.
Then, I felt better for three days. Thought I was over it. But no. I got sick again for a few days.
Then better. Then worse. This cycle has continued gradually stretching into every 7 days or so.
I got sick again yesterday.
And because of the illness, I lost some other things. Exercise dwindled. Sleep dwindled. My projects and new business slipped into a low gear. Back pain at night soared and with it sleep stumbled even more.
So, I complained. Sometimes with words. Sometimes without words. I whined about it. "I don't feel good. I'm tired. I'm frustrated with this and this and this. I don't understand.....blah, blah, blah."
Just sayin'. It happens. Even to people who help other people deal with and get over the Whine Flu.
But, you say, shouldn't you at least talk about the things that trouble you?
Yep.
Then do something about it.
As Maya Angelou once said, "If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."
The Whine Flu shot is an elixir of acceptance, attitude, and action.
In my case, it's accepting the pace of recovery from this nasty viral bug. I'm getting better but not at the pace I want. And, it's unpredictable. I make some social plans then have to bail out because the bug, the bug, the bug is back.
And as for the loss of sleep and back pain, I have to look at lifestyle changes that might contribute to the problem and make sure I'm doing the things I can do and get some outside perspective from others. And when I have a sleepless night, accept that the day may not be what I want it to be but that doesn't mean it will be that way tomorrow or forever. Do what I can to get done what I can get done. That's it. Try again tomorrow.
And trust me, this is a lot easier said than done.
Although you probably know that.
The hardest part for me is accepting. Accepting that today is going to be what I call a "lost day". I'm so tired and worn out that I can't concentrate enough to get anything done. What would help of course is to sleep or rest but then that means accepting the current condition.
Which I did yesterday and will do again today. That is the action plan.
In the meantime, I try to hold Maya Angelou's words in my head. If you can't change it, change your atitude. Don't complain.
How about you?
photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District
*************************
And while we're on the subject of the Whine Flu for those you who either have Runner's Knee or know someone who does, buy my book, The Runner's Knee Bible. It's an excellent "flu shot".
Click here for more information.
WHINE
[hwahyn, wahyn]: to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way: He is always whining about his problems.
The problem with whining is that it makes you think you feel better about a problem or situation. As if by sniveling about how badly your back hurts, your back will stop hurting which of course it doesn't.
The Whine Flu, as in any flu, just makes you feel bad.
I am currently battling the Whine Flu. It started October 10, 2010. I was at Austin City Limits Music Festival and started to feel ill. The next day, I was sick. And for the next nine days I was sick. My voice was like Barry White. I was clammy, sweaty and had the energy of a three-toed sloth.
Then, I felt better for three days. Thought I was over it. But no. I got sick again for a few days.
Then better. Then worse. This cycle has continued gradually stretching into every 7 days or so.
I got sick again yesterday.
And because of the illness, I lost some other things. Exercise dwindled. Sleep dwindled. My projects and new business slipped into a low gear. Back pain at night soared and with it sleep stumbled even more.
So, I complained. Sometimes with words. Sometimes without words. I whined about it. "I don't feel good. I'm tired. I'm frustrated with this and this and this. I don't understand.....blah, blah, blah."
Just sayin'. It happens. Even to people who help other people deal with and get over the Whine Flu.
But, you say, shouldn't you at least talk about the things that trouble you?
Yep.
Then do something about it.
As Maya Angelou once said, "If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."
The Whine Flu shot is an elixir of acceptance, attitude, and action.
In my case, it's accepting the pace of recovery from this nasty viral bug. I'm getting better but not at the pace I want. And, it's unpredictable. I make some social plans then have to bail out because the bug, the bug, the bug is back.
And as for the loss of sleep and back pain, I have to look at lifestyle changes that might contribute to the problem and make sure I'm doing the things I can do and get some outside perspective from others. And when I have a sleepless night, accept that the day may not be what I want it to be but that doesn't mean it will be that way tomorrow or forever. Do what I can to get done what I can get done. That's it. Try again tomorrow.
And trust me, this is a lot easier said than done.
Although you probably know that.
The hardest part for me is accepting. Accepting that today is going to be what I call a "lost day". I'm so tired and worn out that I can't concentrate enough to get anything done. What would help of course is to sleep or rest but then that means accepting the current condition.
Which I did yesterday and will do again today. That is the action plan.
In the meantime, I try to hold Maya Angelou's words in my head. If you can't change it, change your atitude. Don't complain.
How about you?
photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District
*************************
And while we're on the subject of the Whine Flu for those you who either have Runner's Knee or know someone who does, buy my book, The Runner's Knee Bible. It's an excellent "flu shot".
Click here for more information.