Another thing to consider is that most people in our society seem to have a tendency to complain much more than we use praise. Seeing the good and saying something about it is a practice to cultivate. Remember how parents sometimes tell kids that if you say something not very nice, now you have to say three things that are nice to make up for it? That's actually not a bad idea for adults to practice too. You could even make it five nice things, or seven.

IMO, you can't just stop being negative. You have to replace it with something, like being positive. We all need more praise and compliments. Why not let it start with you?