My family has always had a weird way of making light of a wimpy display of self-pity.  If one of the six McMichael children whined or complained about something insignificant, they would likely hear this family response: “Moo, Moo, Moo, Moo.”  Now I don’t know where this silly retort came from, but I do know that when used appropriately, it almost always gets a smile from the complaining sister or brother.   You might say this response is the McMichael code for “you just might be over-reacting—get a grip.”

I’ve never been foolish enough to try the “Moo, Moo” attitude adjustment technique on someone outside the family, but I do think having such a “code” can be healthy.  Perhaps we can ease into this technique with a “code” to end pity parties.  For instance, one of the greatest things I learned in my Dale Carnegie class was not to complain, criticize, or condemn other people—ever!  They call this avoiding the 3 Cs.  And… since this is usually what happens during a group pity party, it would only take one person to say… “Don’t forget the 3 Cs”  to end the pity party.  Now this won’t be as colorful as “Moo, Moo, Moo, Moo,” but I think it could be as effective.