| RESENTMENT Resentment is an attempt to make our failure palatable by explaining it in terms of unfair treatment, injustice, etc. But as salve for failure, resentment is a cure that is worse than the disease. It is a deadly poison to the spirit, makes happiness impossible, uses up tremendous energy which could go into accomplishment. A vicious cycle is often set up. Resentment is also a"way" or an attempt to wipe out and eradicate a real or fancied wrong or injustice which has already happened. The resentful person is trying to prove his case before the court of life, so to speak. If he can feel resentful enough and thereby prove the "injustice", some magic process will reward him by making "not so" the event or circumstances which caused the resentment. In this sense, resentment is a mental resistance to, a non-acceptance of, something that has already happened. Resentment is an emotional rehashing or re-fighting of some event of the past. You cannot win because you are attempting to do the impossible, change the past. Resentment, even when based on real injustice and wrong, is not a way to win. It soon becomes an emotional habit. Habitually feeling that you are a victim of injustice, you begin to picture yourself in the role of a victimized person. You carry around an inner feeling which is looking for an eternal peg to hang itself on. It is then easy to see "evidence" of injustice, or fancy you have been wronged, by the most innocent remark or neutral circumstance. Habitual resentment is a habit anyone can develope. When these habits have become firmly ensconced, a person does not feel "right" or natural when they are absent. They literally begin to search and look for injustice. Someone has said that such people feel good only when they are miserable. Remember that your resentment is not caused by other persons, circumstances or events. But it is caused by your own emotional response your own reaction. You alone have the power over this and you can control it if you firmly convince yourself that resentment and self pity are not the ways to happiness and success, but ways to defeat and unhappiness. |
| DESIDERADA Go placidly amid the noise and hast, and remember what piece there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quickly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud an aggressive persons; they are vexation to the spirit. if you compare yourself with others, you may become vane or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real position in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. Do not let this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and the disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirite to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have the right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with god, what ever you conceived him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. In all the sham, drudgery and broken dearms this is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. |
