Resentment

Resentment is a tricky emotion.

It can make us feel justified in our position blaming others.

 It can grow rapidly or smolder quietly under the surface.

It can undermine our happiness.

It can trick us into believing that its pain is normal, so it becomes part of our lives.

Unresolved anger can turn into resentment.

It can surface when you least expect it.

Were you taught that anger was unacceptable or that you shouldn’t get angry?

I’ve learned that anger can be a catalyst for change when we look at its source. Anger can show us what we’re passionate about. It can guide us into making changes in our lives if we are committed to resolve it and not let it turn into resentment.

Hanging on to resentment doesn’t serve us at all.

To shift it, we need to take the focus off the person we resent.

Much of the time we get so wrapped up in our emotions that we create more drama around them than there was in the first place. We spin a huge tale, bringing others into it to take our side. None of that feels good, even if we feel justified. We are so focused on the other person that we don’t pay attention to what we’re feeling inside. We are the one that is suffering. Sometimes the other person doesn’t even know how we’re feeling or that they did anything to upset us.

Turning our attention to ourselves instead and how we want to feel can start to diffuse resentment. This isn’t to say that what the other person did was okay or that we are backing down. It simply means that our well being is more important than our resentment. Our focus is on feeling free and releasing emotions that are causing pain and keeping us from growing in that area of our life.

By focusing our attention on ourselves, and how we want to feel, we are taking responsibility for our healing and not leaving it in the other person’s hands. We are taking your power back from a situation that was draining our energy, consciously or subconsciously

Remember, 2022 is the year of personal responsibility.

Are you willing to let go of some resentments?

When we change the world changes.