Rooting Out Resentment

"Resentment is like swallowing poison and then waiting for the other person to die."

I've been thinking a lot about resentment and how it eats at at you relentlessly if you let it. It is a wicked bad waste of energy--like weeds in a garden that are best pulled out by the root.

Roots of Resentment:

1. Comparing your lot in life with others

2. Doing things for somebody else they could be doing for themselves

3. Imprisoning yourself by limiting your perceptions of what is possible

4. Refusing to accept what is

5. Dwelling in the past

Remedies for Resentment:

1. Being grateful for what you do have

2. Setting boundaries

3. Thinking outside the box, trying new things, keeping an open mind

4. Letting it be

5. Forgiving and letting go

Ah. That feels better.

Why Am I Not Serene Yet?

     “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm”

One of my plans for the new year is to find a path toward greater serenity. Here are my top ten ways to become more serene:

10. Minding my own business rather than everybody else's.
9. Letting go of things I can't control.
8. Opening my mind to greater spirituality.
7. Counting my many blessings.
6. Taking care of myself with healthy food and exercise, and remembering to breathe.
5. Connecting with other people.
4. Focusing outside myself on ways I can be useful to others in need.
3. Listening to my heart to know what I want and need.
2. Spending time in fresh air, sunshine and nature.
1. Living in the moment rather than regretting the past or fearing the future.

Any others you want to add?