Give Up The Grudge

Chances are you’ve held a grudge (big or small) at some point in your life. It can be hard to let go of anger when someone says or does something that you feel is unforgivable—and staying mad does offer some short-term satisfaction. But at the end of the day, your grudges only hurt you.
 
Carrying a grudge is like living with an open wound—something painful that never heals. You’re giving the person who wronged you a permanent place in your life which causes you to continually relive the pain. The constant stress is harmful both mentally and physically: According to the American Psychological Association, carrying anger as we age is associated with higher levels of inflammation, sleeplessness and chronic illness including heart disease.
 
It’s important to acknowledge that although your feelings may have been valid at the time, you need to let them go NOW. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciling with the person who upset you or condoning their action, but it’s the best route to inner peace. When you move hatred and anger aside, you make room for positivity and happiness.
 
Technique of the week: If you’re holding a grudge, remember that a life well lived is your best revenge. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, practice looking for the love, beauty, and kindness around you. Life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to, but you CAN always choose to be happy. Before you let another painful situation turn into a grudge, calm yourself down in the moment so you create distance between what happened and how you respond to it. Then focus your energy on the good things in your life so you can balance the harm and stay positive!