No matter how long we've been recovering, no matter how solid our spiritual ground, we may still feel an overwhelming desire at times to punish, or get even, with another person.
We want revenge.
We want to see the other person hurt the way he or she has hurt us. We want to see life deal that person just rewards. In fact, we would like to help life out.
Those are normal feelings, but we do not have to act on them. These feelings are part of our anger but it's not our job to deal justice.
We can allow ourselves to feel the anger. It is helpful to go one step deeper and let ourselves feel the other feelings - the hurt, the pain, the anguish. But our goal is to release the feelings, and be finished with them.
We can hold the other person accountable. We can hold the other person responsible. But it is not our responsibility to be judge and jury. Actively seeking revenge will not help us. It will block us and hold us back.
Walk away. Stop playing the game. Unhook. Learn your lesson. Thank the other person for having taught you something valuable. And be finished with it. Put it behind, with the lesson intact.
Acceptance helps. So does forgiveness - not the kind that invites that person to use us again, but a forgiveness that releases the other person and sets him or her free to walk a separate path, while releasing our anger and resentments. That sets us free to walk our own path.
Today, I will be as angry as I need to be, with a goal of finishing my business with others. Once I have released my hurt and anger, I will strive for healthy forgiveness - forgiveness with boundaries. I understand that boundaries, coupled with forgiveness and compassion, will move me forward.
From The Language of Letting Go
__________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
What a perfect post!!! I am sooo scared to go to work tomorrow. My "head Nurse" soooooo hates me. Honestly, I could go on and on right now but I have to go to bed. Please pray for Kim, who I work with. For happiness, serenity... I dont even know what else.. I would really like you to pray for me but that is selfish!! Let me just tell you this...Friday I was at work and Kim flipped out on me, as she does occassionally... I said the serentity prayer about fifty times on my way home.. I live 1.9 miles away from work... Thank GOD for step 3, which I am almost on...I feel as tho I have nothing to be afraid of b/c I did nothing wrong, but in her eyes, I am a bad seed. I will elaborate more tomorrow....But, saying the serenity prayer, 3rd step prayer and honestly, for once, knowing I did nothing wrong, life will be good. So, once again, pray for KIM . Thanks lani
__________________
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
