Resentment separates you from Spirit

This morning I developed a rare (these days) resentment over a family member whom I asked to help me, but he chose not to. I asked God to forgive him, and to forgive myself for resenting him. I asked for all the resentful energy to be removed from my energy field.

When I meditated just now, the beautiful light was still there. Forgiveness works! I know from years of past experience that resentment sits above me like a dark cloud, separating me from the sunlight of the Spirit (an AA expression). Not any more...

Every relationship is karmic

I read this morning that 'every relationship is karmic'. It is so true. There are no random relationships in your life - each person is here to learn from you, teach you, and resolve unfinished business between you both. These connections can be traced to previous lifetimes.

Think of the people close to you, and figure out the purpose of your relationship with them. Do you need to help them? Do they need to help you? Is there resentment, a joint task (parenting) or unfulfilled love? Identify the purpose and you can release the karma forever.

Joy brings us close to the spirit world

Last night friends came for dinner and we played an enthusiastic game of Trivial Pursuit after wards. As we joked and laughed I observed how joyful I felt - and how easy it felt to be joyful. I remembered that joy is the natural state of the soul, and felt blessed.

At such times the veil between Earth and the spirit world seems gossamer-light, as if I could just pull it aside and step through. In contrast, when I experience self-pity or resentment, the spirit world seems unreachable. Soul awareness is vital to our emotional health.

Resentment is personality 'stuff'

I used to feel deep resentment at the slightest provocation - resentment was my default position in life. It's rare for me to experience it these days. However, today I feel mild resentment towards someone. I am treating it as a spiritual learning experience!

Resentment is personality stuff - our souls have no negativity. So I have to deal with it on a personality level. I have two choices - continue to simmer, or speak out. I want to speak out, but I first I need to diffuse the negative emotion. Then I am free to speak...

We learn from our daily life challenges

Daily life throws up challenges so we learn lessons. That's why we came here, right? Today our dog knocked a tap at the base of our water tank, draining it, and it will cost $200 to refill it. $200! I felt very resentful at the waste of money, which literally drained away.

My meditation said, 'Rise above it, Lorraine. Get the joy back and move on...' It's great advice, especially as resentment is a big issue in this lifetime. Everything passes - bad weather, bills, arguments, grief and worry. All of Earthly life is, thank goodness, temporary.

Compassion is your soul growing up

I often feel resentful when someone deliberately hurts or ignores me: 'Why did they treat me badly?' That resentment is really just a form of self-pity - I am more concerned about my own feelings than I am about theirs, which closes the door on compassion.

Instead I need to consider what is happening for the person, to cause them to act in an igorant manner. They must be hurting in some way. When I turn my focus away from myself and on to them I can change resentment into compassion. My soul is growing up...

Forgive the person you resent

If you have long term issues with someone and you know they will never alter their position or attitude, there is only one option left to you: forgive them. The truth is the only person you are hurting is yourself - they're just getting on with their life.

You may be faking the sincerity of your forgiveness to start with - resentment simmers like a good stew - but after a few months of dedicating yourself to forgiving them, you will notice a difference. They won't get under your skin quite the same. Serenity returns....

Turning resentment into serenity

This morning I was resentful towards a friend who forgot my birthday and I was angry with my ex-husband. I sat down to meditate. An image came of a train travelling at full speed: that was me.

As I tried to meditate the train slowed down, my angry thoughts subsided, and finally the train stopped. I had connected to my soul. Imagine the rest of my day if I hadn't! I encourage you each day to halt the runaway train that is your mind. Experience true serenity...