Whining is different from complaining. Complaining can be an honest expression of displeasure or annoyance. Whining, on the other hand, can include a bit of “poor me” instead of a genuine desire to resolve the issue.
Here are ways to productively complain and leave the whine behind:
- State the concern about the issue, not the people.
- Stick with the issue.
- Use the word “I” to explain how you feel, rather than the word “you” to accuse someone else.
This message was adapted from “Church Whine” by Karen Melang that appeared in the September 1997 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine..
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