The end of complaining

One way to begin a new year is to look for opportunities to approach life in a new way. During the past year I have spent time with people who have made an art of complaining, and I see how it attracts more reason for them to justify this behavior. I recognize that this is a part of their journey, and I can see how it contributes to their unhappiness. When I am tempted to complain about some event or circumstance in my life, I can choose to search out the root cause. It is usually attached to a fear which often exists only in my mind. I can challenge that fear and turn it around before I externalize it to those around me. This is different from identifying a situation I would like to change and asking people I trust to help me find another way to approach it. I know the difference between complaining and sharing based on the emotions that accompany the content. When I remove the behavior of complaining, I find it being replaced with other healthier behaviors and attracting solutions to whatever is going on with me. If I catch myself complaining, I can notice it and remind myself that I can do this another way. Being gentle with ourselves is important when changing behaviors. What can you change about your complaining behaviors today?