The ugliness of complaint

I was browsing in a Bible bookstore today looking for a translation of the Bible. It was a pleasant atmosphere to be in. The single employee in the store was very gracious, helpful and in good spirits. I was in a very good mood too, enjoying a few moments of free time. A recording of a man reading from the Bible played over the audio system. It was a peaceful place to be.

In walks a woman who is looking for a particular book that she cannot find. The store does not have it in stock, but can order it. Well, that wasn’t good enough. She didn’t understand why it wasn’t on the shelf right then so she could look at it. And out came complaint after complaint. Her disgruntled voice filled the shopping area, and I had to start loving this woman to stop myself from thinking negative thoughts about her!

I was not too successful at first because I was impressed by the unfairness of her critical comments.

I wondered if she really could consider herself a Christian…oops…not a nice thought! I’m sure she did. So, I prayed that the condemnation would quickly stop and she could find something good to be grateful for.

The criticism did not cease. It grew worse. Soon she was criticizing the whole store and stating how disappointed she was in finding gifts for sale in a Bible store…and so on... The barrage didn’t stop until she left the premises.

I did not let my thinking fall to a low level. I quickly started loving her as a child of God, and knew she had the capacity to see the good, and I mentally followed her out the door with a blessing.

After she left, though, I couldn’t help but notice how ugly complaints can be. The store had been a very nice amiable atmosphere of thought before this woman entered. In she came with her complaining attitude, and the store rapidly went from being a very pleasant atmosphere to making you want to run for the door.

In Christian Science, one learns not to “run for the door,” but to love more and take the higher road of demonstrating dominion over dark bleak attitudes. And by relying upon the power of divine Love to back up one’s positive position, it’s possible to send the complaining attitude running for the door, instead of the good thought feeling like it has to leave. I suppose that is what happened to a degree. The woman left and all returned to harmony.

But I’m going to practice complaining less from now on! I don’t know how much I do, but I probably have room for improvement. From watching this woman, I see clearly that it’s not a pretty picture to be seen as a complainer! It’s a lot more favorable to be one voicing gratitude and goodwill.