learning not to complain

Often times we are faced with distasteful or annoying situations. It is easy for our first reaction to voice our displeasure, maybe to anyone who will listen. However , if we pay attention to how we feel while we are complaining, and after we are done, we will realize that most of the time any good feeling that comes from doing this is short lived, because even though we have vented, we have are still holding onto the annoyance, perhaps even waiting for another opportunity to vent to someone else.

In fact, often times talking about it gives the unpleasantness more energy and strengthens it. At the same time we don't want to supress being annoyed or feeling uncomfortable. The Way of the Voice of Peace is to neither discourage, nor encourage whatever comes up in these situations. By complaining we are encouraging the negative feeling within.

Instead of instantly reacting, we can learn to respond mindfully to life's distasteful and annoying situations in away that can bring about peace.  

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 5 - China.
When we learn not to complain, we come to understand there really is not much to complain about. This is not to say we should remain silent when we witness or experience genuine injustice, but there is a time and place for such an expression. To complain constantly and play the perpetual victim does not serve anyone and can become an annoying habit to everyone involved.