I used to teach a training module on"Excellence", that centered around doing the right things for the right reasons, especially when nobody was looking.  One of the topics that we discussed was to avoid the "3 C's" in life, which are to not criticize, condemn or complain.  The point of this was to let go things that made you critical or that brought out any negativity in your own life. When we criticize others, it implies that we know how to do things better or that our way is the best way to do things.  What we fail to realize when this occurs is that people have varied talents and the ability to do something relies on what that person's gift may be.  As a result, someone else's gift is usually not yours, so there is no point in trying to compete on that level.  Our way is not the only way and sometimes it not necessarily the best way, so we have to get better at letting certain things go and allowing others to learn to flourish at doing something with their own capabilities. I also have to add that even if you are the type that uses "constructive criticism", ultimately it is still being critical of someone else. When people condemn others or voice public disapproval over someone or something, the attention focuses on them.  It demonstrates judgement over someone else and again who are we to judge others, right?  Then we have complaining, which can tune out the rest of the world around you, as most people don't want to be an audience to this type of behavior. Complaining individuals also tell me that they are willing to spend a lot of time to describe to others and those who would listen, about what is not right in their world.  What this demonstrates to me is that they are unwilling to present possible solutions to the problem.  Another attribute of some of these individuals is that they might feel that the world owes them something or the solution to their own problem. Sometimes when you tell a complaining individual about a way they could possibly solve their problem, they almost don't want to hear it.  Why?  Well at times I think it is easier to live in the misery and chaos that people are familiar with, as opposed to heading into the unknown and dealing with the discomfort of doing things a new or better way which could ultimately change them.  Remember as you begin to create the necessary filters for you to live a more peaceful life, you may want to begin with the simple concept of avoiding the "3 C's".  Think about the possibilities of avoiding these three things and you just might be able to sleep much better at night as a result.