How often did I waste time complaining about stuff in my life, as if all of that “releasing” would make room for the good stuff? It never happened! Someone once said, “spending 5 minutes complaining is a waste of 5 minutes”.

So why is our focus and attention drawn to the unworthy and how do we get sucked in? My standard complaint was that the news was not news any longer. It was sensationalism intended to put us into fight or flight mode so that we could not take our eyes off of it. It was like passing an accident on the road, having all of those rubberneckers needing to see what they are missing as if it will make a difference in their lives or the lives of the accident victims.

Finally, one day, I had it with the news, my complaining about the news and everyone else’s complaining about the news. I did the only thing I could think of that felt like control. I tuned it out! I listened to books on tape, the comedy radio station, romantic comedic movies and music that lifted my spirit. Years of complaining got me nowhere. This simple shift in habit changed my world! No longer was I the guy to come to for a discussion of the latest shooting, protest, scandal, murder or pop scandal. The best thing is that I was not missing a thing! I learned bits and pieces about the “big stuff” because it is everywhere. But I was no longer feeling PTSD from stressing myself out with all of the fruitless complaining and bombardment of negativity. My body, mind and spirit LOVED me for it.

Now, when I find myself complaining, it is time to look closer. Is this something worthy of my angst, or is it something that can be eliminated? Either way, complaining is not an option because it comes at too high a cost!