The Antidote For Resentment

Ah yes yet another emotion emerges: resentment. A very dangerous emotion. Fire. It can fuel you but it can also burn down your connections, your relationships, your safety. It’s crazy the range of feelings that is emerging during this pandemic. What am I resentful about and towards whom? When the feeling kicks in, it spreads to all areas of life, as if you’re hunting for things to feel righteous about. This is my least favorite emotion. I resent resentment. I think it can consume your life and isolate and defeat you. I started thinking about ways to approach it. I can “yes and” others, I can listen, I can give space and more than anything I can offer empathy. I refocus on another persons’ struggle, their desire for happiness. Then slowly my hearts opens to them because I see myself in them. I am imperfect. I can be righteous. I can sit on high horses and cast judgements and hold grudges quietly or overtly. And I am deserving of love and forgiveness. I would hope someone else would offer me patience and space and understanding. So I will offer that to others. I just realized I fear people cutting me out of their lives or deciding “no” when it comes to me. That’s a big fear. And it probably stems from my own approach to people. If you hurt me - you are out. Done. It’s over. But people hurt one another all the time. It doesn’t make it okay but does it require a permanent disconnect? Sometimes yes. Sometimes that’s the best decision. But many times, no. All relationships need space and breathe and understanding. It feels good to give it because it lessens my own fear. I hope others will show me the same kindness.

Give space to resentment.