The Grumble Family

 

There is a family nobody likes to meet,

 

They live, it is said, on Complaining Street.

 

In the city of Never-Are Satisfied,

 

The River of Discontent beside.

 

They growl at that, and they growl at this;

 

Whatever comes there is something amiss;

 

And whether their station be high or humble,

 

They are known by the name of Grumble.

 

The weather is always too hot or too cold,

 

Summer and winter alike they scold;

 

Nothing goes right with the folks you meet

 

Down on that gloomy Complaining Street.

 

They growl at the rain, and they growl at the sun;

 

In fact, their growling is never done.

 

And if everything pleased them, there isn't a doubt

 

They'd growl that they'd nothing to grumble about!

 

And the worst thing is that if anyone stays

 

Among them too long he will learn their ways,

 

And before he dreams of the terrible jumble

 

He's adopted into the family of Grumble.

 

So it were wisest to keep our feet

 

From wandering into Grumbling Street.

 

And never to growl whatever we do,

 

Lest we be mistaken for Grumblers too.

 

 

Remember When

 

Remember when a dad would work and mom would stay at home,
And kids did not run wild because they never were alone.
Remember when the parents cared and they were always there,
And never dropped them off and paid somebody else to care.

 

Remember when just one income would cover all the bills,
And houses were for living in and not just full of frills.
Remember when one car would do what ever need be done,
And everybody in the house did not need one for fun.

 

Remember a one car garage just sitting in the back,
And houses did not have three doors just sliding on a track.
Remember when the kitchens had a stove and kitchen nook,
And families ate together because someone had to cook.

 

Remember when the parents took responsibilities,
And when their kids would act up wouldn't blame it on TVs.
Remember when the kids would play in other generations,
And had to be creative using their imaginations.

 

Remember in high school they expected you to graduate,
Now they throw a party as if you did something great.
Remember when a person had the drive to get things done,
Now they have to motivate and try to make it fun.

 

One time a woman's status was her femininity,
Now some think their status is the biggest S.U.V.
One time a man was called a man for being a success,
Today some are just satisfied to leave it to the rest.

 

There was a time when buying meant you paid for it in cash,
Today before you've paid it off it gets thrown in the trash.
One time "on credit" meant a house that you were saving for,
Today a credit card is used for groceries at the store.

 

There was a time when people practiced common courtesy,
Not only when they thought it might help them out financially,
There was a time when seniors were respected while around,
Now if you don't keep up the pace someone may knock you down.

 

Remember when it didn't seem like such a hectic pace?
Remember when you took the time to look at someone's face?
Remember when you took the time to strike up conversation,
Remember when we took the time to start a new relation.

 

It didn't seem so stressful then and such anxiety,
It didn't seem we always had some other place to be.
It didn't seem we always had some other place to go,
It didn't seem we all ran ragged running to and fro.

 

Maybe that's the problem in the modern world today,
Maybe we just run so fast we get in our own way,
Maybe we are trying to accumulate too much,
Always adding, not enjoying and so out of touch.

 

Bigger, better, faster, newer, never satisfied,
Always looking for some more to keep life well supplied,
With the things that we all think will bring us happiness,
And as we gather treasures, life is what we really miss.

 

Stressful days and stressful nights, anxiety attack,
Headaches, stomach problems and the nagging lower back.
Trying to blame something else for making us a mess,
But really it is us alone that causes our own stress.

 

There was a time when life was simple, and can be again,
Stop the hectic running of a race you cannot win.
Just stop the competition and the constant nagging thirst,
Think of others always and don't try to put YOU first.

 

 

 

James A. Kisner

 

 

When you are feeling down, focus your thoughts on this question. What can you do that would help you feel better?

Instead of filling your mind with doubt, self-pity, resentment, regret and despair, fill it with thoughts and plans for moving positively forward. There is something that will take your focus off of whatever has already happened and direct your thoughts firmly toward the best of what can be.

Pay no attention to how you're supposed to feel or how you're expected to feel. Decide for yourself how good you would like to feel, and then take the steps that will get you there.

It will likely be much easier than you think. For once you choose to feel better, it quickly begins to happen.

It sounds too simple to be true, yet it works with surprising and delightful effectiveness. When you decide to help yourself feel better, you will.

What can you do that will help you feel better? You're just a moment away from making it happen.

Ralph Marston