Got Resentments? Here’s a Simple Process to Get Rid of Them

The cost of hanging on to toxic emotions is being sick

Photo by Jeffery Erhunse on Unsplash

As a recovering control freak, I discovered how futile it can be to get pissed at people and hold onto resentments. First, let’s be clear about what resentment is.

Here’s the definition:

I know the cost of resentments because I’ve had many. Here’s a short list of my resentments and the process I use to get rid of them over many years of living a sober life.

1. To the young men who towel-whipped me on my first day on the job in your father’s ice cream parlor when I was 13, I’m sorry. My part was being a smart-ass kid who didn’t listen to you or fear your wrath well enough. I learned an important lesson from you and moved on to better jobs. Thank you. I forgive you.
2. To my friend who had sex with my girlfriend and sent me into an emotional tailspin lined with buckets of tears, thank you. My part was confusing infatuation with true, lasting love. I learned an essential lesson in attachment, and you helped me find and marry the woman of my dreams, who’s been my wife for almost 40 years. I…