Last week a friend of mine was having a terrible time at work.  Something had gone wrong with his computer credentials, and now everything was a mess.  He had trouble getting into his in-box, his sent messages were delayed, and even his online meeting call number stability was flawed.  He had so many problems that it reminded me of the movie “Wag the Dog.”  It’s a complicated story, but Dustin Hoffman plays a movie producer who keeps minimizing everyone else’s issues.  No matter what challenge someone identifies, he comes back with a story like, “This…is nothing!  I remember when I once shot a movie for six months without having the rights secured.  THAT was something!  This? This is nothing!”

It’s a hilarious running gag, and it broke the tension and made my friend start laughing when I reminded him about that picture.  I told him, “In the future, everything will seem so minor.  Every time someone starts complaining, you’ll think to yourself, “Oh yeah? Well remember when my email didn’t work for a week and I couldn’t attend any conference calls I scheduled?  That was something!  What you’re describing is nothing!”

I thought about this story over the weekend as I was doing some much needed Fall clean-up in the yard.  Here’s what occurred to me:

I have a lot of leaves to rake up, but that’s nothing, since I have the health to easily work in the yard for several hours.

I have a lot to do today, but that’s nothing, since I have the right garden tools for the job.

I’m having trouble with the retaining wall rotting out, but that’s nothing since I have a capable landscaper lined up to help me.

I’m not happy about the unexpected cost of the retaining wall, but I have some savings to cover the charge.  I remember when I didn’t have room on a credit card, let alone additional funds when the credit card bill came in.

This week, you may be facing some problems or unexpected inconveniences.  It’s easy to complain, but before you do, think of other problems you’ve faced and how you’ve gotten through them.  Re-orient your view.  You may end up laughing, “Oh, this?  This…is nothing!”