A section of the registers were closed due to COVID-19. The woman in line behind me began to complain, "They should have more registers open. It's hot in here..." If 2020 has given us anything, it's plenty to complain about. Complaining in negative circumstances is normal, but how does it serve us?

Dennis Prager, author of Happiness is a Serious Problem offers some insight. "We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain," says Prager, "but it is truer to say that it is complaining that leads to people becoming unhappy. Become grateful and you will become a much happier person."

Our brains create pathways for things we do repeatedly. For many the pathway for complaining is etched in the brain, making that the default. Frequent complaining releases more of the stress hormone cortisol which can impair the immune system, affect sleep, raise blood pressure, create anxiety, etc.

Our brains, however, have the remarkable ability to change. Creating new pathways requires intentionality. Here are some Timely Tips to transform the consequences of complaining to the benefits of gratitude.

Timely Tips - for cultivating gratitude

Transform complaints into thankfulness: Search for things to be grateful for tucked inside the very things you're tempted to complain about. We can be grateful that the store lines aren't as long as they appear, due to the fact we're spread six feet apart. Maybe turkey isn't your favorite, nor the people you spend Thanksgiving with. You can be grateful it's just once a year.

Schedule gratitude: Set aside time each day to ponder things you’re grateful for. Link it to something you do regularly. While showering or brushing your teeth focus on what you’re grateful for. The first thing I do each day is sit down with my Gratitude Prayer Journal and record something I’m thankful for.

Verbalize gratitude: Last week Costco welcomed back the sampling stations. Yay! As I picked up the pre-packaged samples, I thanked them not only for the sample, but for returning to work. Many people perform acts of service all around us. Choose to be aware and verbalize your gratitude for their services, especially to those at home.

Put your gratitude into writing: Let others know in a card, letter, email, or even text how much you value them. Tell them specifically how they've impacted your life. It’s a win/win. It will make you both happy.

Like many in our nation today, those celebrating the first Thanksgiving had much to complain about. They suffered a great deal that year and yet, they focused on their blessings and gave thanks. Without Prager's book, what motivated them to be grateful? The words of Kind David.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord." Psalm 92:1

Indeed, it is.