Seriously, what are you complaining about?

Observation of my fellow humans is a hobby of mine. And maybe the teensiest bit of quiet judgment. But honestly, the endless variety in shape, size, color, language, mode of dress, experience, and expression fascinates and amazes me. Every day.

For context, at the moment I’m on a cruise ship with 400 of my fellow Americans and 1000 Australians. (Sadly, not one ofthem is Hugh Jackman) The other 500 passengers are from just about everywhere else. One thing we have in common though, in spite ofour differences: We’re all on vacation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a big beautiful boat that willdock in Tahiti tomorrow. So, you know–life is good. Very good.

Nonetheless, it appearsthat somepeople can stillfindsomething tocomplain about.

• One recent morning, after a particularly rough night of twenty-foot seas, I overheard a young man complaining at Guest Services. It seems his stateroom was creaking a…