In society today, complaining seems to be a very common trend. Everyone is more than ready to point out the problem, but very few are willing to work to be the solution.

  If you have a job and complain about how the work is too long, too tiring, or how the conditions are unsuitable, but you don’t try to talk to your management about changing these things, you’re part of the problem. Sitting at home griping about how the government–be it student, state or federal–isn’t doing anything to make life better and how the current leadership isn’t very good, but you aren’t going to vote or petitioning for change, you are part of the problem. If you’re one of those students who drives without your license and insurance, or speed out of the parking lot, breaking the rules and putting others at risk, you’re a part of the problem. If you advocate for better care of the environment and complain that your children will inherit an Earth that is trashed, but you throw your soda can out of the car window when you’re driving down the highway, you are a part of the problem. 

  When homecoming rolls around, if you think your locker area and class float are lame, but do not show up and try to help make these things look better, you are a part of the problem. If you complain about how the pep rallies, spirit days and decorations do nothing to get the student body hyped, but you aren’t suggesting changes to the cheerleaders and student council, then, you’re part of the problem. If you whine about how out of shape you are, but don’t bother going to the gym to get into shape, then you’re part of the problem. If you’re in favor of getting involved in things the school does, but you organize something for school that goes against the school rules then get mad when you’re called out for it, you’re part of the problem. If you fall asleep or just don’t listen in class but complain about how you don’t understand the work or that the teacher doesn’t teach, you’re a part of the problem.

  Do you see a pattern?

  There’s a simple way to get out of the “problem” category and into the “solution” category. Don’t complain about things. Get up and try to be the change you want to see. You won’t have the guilt of knowing that you did nothing when you had every power to impact that problem. 

  With homecoming approaching, get involved in your class competitions so you won’t be a part of the problem.