I saw the following in a meme recently and it hit me in several different ways. It said, “Some people spend their time setting fires and then complain about being burn victims.” I read it several times.

My first reaction (I am ashamed to say) was to make a mental list of people and situations that fit this statement. Oh boy, do I know people who fit this bill. People who create their own drama and then cry “why me?”

I watch police videos of their interactions with drunk drivers. Everyone I have ever watched has followed the same pattern of behavior on behalf of the driver. Without fail, they can’t understand why the police are being so “mean” to them and repeat endlessly, “I didn’t do anything wrong!” Perfect example of starting the fire and complaining to be burnt.

But my next reaction to this statement was much more interesting. I asked myself how often am I that person? Mmmmm… how about when I drive past the gas station with an empty tank because I am tired and will do it tomorrow. Then I am late because I have to get gas and now, I am upset because the car in front of me is taking way too long!

Or I put off doing my taxes until the day before they are due. I can’t find everything I need and then I get mad at how hard it all is. Or I don’t feel like shoveling the snow today while it is light and fluffy, so I wait until the next day when it is wet and heavy. And I cry because now my back hurts and I shouldn’t have to be shoveling my own snow anyway and life is not fair.

I could go on and on with all the times that I have created the fire, but I don’t want to humiliate myself any more than I have. Besides you get the point. I challenge all of us to look at the times you start the fire and complain about being burned. It could turn your life around. It has mine.