For the weekend and whinge-free days ahead

This week has been really tough at work. I have been whingeing my heart out at poor M. who has stoically been putting up with it. That is, until yesterday morning.

M:" I hate to say this, J-A, but you know, I think you could try being a little bit more professional. I know it's tough at work but you do tend to whine about it."
Me: "I know."
M.: "You should try to remember it's work."
Me: "I know."

So I'm trying to stop whingeing. I find in these situations it helps to remember those people I know who have managed to accomplish great things in the face of great adversity...and kick myself in the butt for being such a pathetic whinger.

TOP TEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT WHINGED IN THE FACE OF GREAT ADVERSITY (IN RANDOM ORDER)

1. My friend who has suffered dehabilitating RSI for the past three years who is now working for the UN High Commission in Geneva.

2. The lady in her late forties who fought breast cancer in her early twenties and went on to set up a successful media company in Hong Kong.

3. My friend's younger sister, who has been diagnosed with severe multiple sclerosis last year.

4. My friend who has been the 'rock' of her family since her mother's death from cancer some years ago, and who never fails to be there for her friends (such as the likes of me, who is always in much less trouble than she ever had to go through).

5. My friend who was subjected to a traumatising sexual assault several years ago, who is bringing the pieces back together slowly like the strong person she is.

6. My friend who has gone through terrifying grief in her personal relationships in recent years but who is still a loving and caring person who reaches out to her friends.

7. My friend who is the pillar of her family in the roughest of times, pulling together her once-suicidal father, nervous-wreck mother and uncommunicative sister as one family, and managing to keep her sanity and strength throughout.

8. The lady who had the guts to walk out of a violent marriage, and who later set up the first sanctuary for Jewish women suffering from domestic violence in London.

9. My friend's wife who suffers from a genetic illness yet managed to have a healthy baby last year.

10. My mum (says it all, really).

This should shut me up for a little while...at least during the weekend.