"Staple it together and call it bad weather"

I read the song lyrics that comprise today's title on my friend's AIM profile a couple of years ago, right when I started listening to Jack Johnson. This line shows one of the things I love most about his lyrics, which is that they encourage people to think about the big picture, get over the bad stuff, and get on with life. I've been thinking a lot about that idea lately: as my favorite high school history teacher told us over and over again, "I've got bigger fish to fry."

I'll be the first person to tell you that I am a whiner. There's no way to put it nicely-- I have no pain tolerance, I'm kind of needy, and I let people know it when I don't feel good. But a couple of weeks ago, when I found out I had mono, my best friend surprised me with some really good-albeit harsh- advice. As soon as I told him about my latest issue, he very quickly informed me that I should try to keep it a secret. "Don't whine to other people. They don't care, and it will really only make them feel bad too."

I was a little taken aback by his instructions, and especially that they had been his first reaction, rather than to say he was sorry I was sick. However, after thinking about it a little bit, I realized he was right. Since then, I've been trying really hard not to whine. I do occasionally indulge myself...okay maybe every time I talk to my mom...but with other people I've tried to be positive. And I'm pretty sure it really does make everything a lot better.

So. Take a lesson from country singers and jam bands everywhere, and don't sweat the small stuff.
It might actually make you a happier person.