At some point in your life, you will find yourself holding onto a grudge because you feel you’re justified in doing so. But, while you may be correct in a particular situation, there is absolutely nothing good that can come out of holding a grudge! Allowing yourself to be consumed by bad feelings about another person is counter-productive to achieving a peaceful existence.
Instead, why not take a shot at the using some life-changing exercises to help you get to that inner peace?
How to Let Go of Grudges
1. Take the high road. I know it sounds cliché. But, as cliché as it may sound to you, taking the high road is just about the single most important step you can take to allow yourself to let go of grudges. Ok, so what does taking the high road involve? Very simply put, it is all about making a conscious effort to not be conquered and weighed down by negative feelings.
Human beings are the only species capable of making conscious choices. Why not make a positive one?
2. Honestly assess how you are being affected. If you really think about it, while you are caught in the middle of your grudge-holding, you are likely being impacted negatively by holding on to the event which affected you. You may think that you are being productive and open, but you are really just going through the motions like you normally do, while deep inside you’re probably feeling unhappy and not totally understanding why.
Understand that negative actions and feelings have a domino effect, and the other aspects of your life will probably be affected if you dwell on something negative for too long.
3. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. It takes a huge step of maturity to stop and consider how you would feel if you were in the other person’s shoes. It is all too easy to say that they are at fault for being in the position they’re in, but will it be different if you end up in that same position yourself one day?
Even if you still disagree with what they did, seeing the situation from their perspective can help you understand why they did what they did. Truly understanding their reasons often makes it easier for you forgive.
4. Embrace positive energy. The more positive energy you embrace, the harder it will be for you to hold on to grudges. Embracing positive energy means doing things, going places and hanging out with people that leave you feeling “uplifted” inside. You will also find that while you are in the negative emotions, that you’ll yearn for positive energy and make efforts to banish the negativity.
5. Reason with your mind and not your emotions. One key thing that’s important to remember is that your mind and your feelings are completely different things! Your mind allows you to think, reason and create. Your emotions allow you to react. You cannot think clearly, reason or create when you are engulfed in an emotional state.
If you allow yourself to take a step back, take a deep breath and give yourself just a little time to work at these suggestions, you will soon realize the positive impact they can have on your life. Your state of being will almost automatically be adjusted for the better, and it will be easy to let go of negative feelings in exchange for a healthier, happier and more loving life. It’s you life, choose wisely!
Thoughts?
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elijah/237450928/sizes/z/in/photostream/
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