Do you hold grudges? I really don’t think it is possible to be human and NOT hold a grudge at some point in our lives. Usually we are also aware that grudges do not do us any good (they actually do us harm), but when the grudge has it’s grip on you, it feels totally justified. It is hard to let it go, even if we know it would be good for us to be free of it. Knowing what is good for us, and actually doing what is good for us are two different things, as we well know.
Think of a grudge you might currently be holding. What is your reason for the grudge? What are you attempting to get from the grudge? What would you gain from releasing this grudge?
These are questions that are important to ask ourselves when we work on releasing pesky grudges. And yes, The Holidays are here. This is a magical time, but also can be a time when the grudge shows it’s ugly face at family gatherings or even with friends. So let’s make it a goal this holiday season to free ourselves from The Grudge Grip. Yes, I’m talking forgiveness.
Imagine waking up in the morning and being free of every bad thing that has ever happened to you. Imagine that you forgave it all. Imagine that you decided to live well, and that meant releasing the past. Imagine accepting that you can’t change or control other people while knowing you have total control over your own happiness. Imagine entering 2020 free.
In Alcoholic Anonymous all members are encouraged to release grudges and resentments. Why do you think that is? Why would a grudge be a toxic thing for an alcoholic? Literally, a grudge can be deadly to an alcoholic. It is that serious. We can all learn from and find blessings in the 12 steps of AA. Alcoholic or not, AA gives us rules for right living. Releasing grudges is a huge part of living a higher vibe life. Grudges and resentments are self-destructive and will feed any addiction or darkness inside of us.
In one of Gabby Bernstein’s latest blogs, she talked about her mentor Wayne Dyer saying, “See the light in others and treat them as if that is all you see.” She also offered a beautiful mantra which I have been saying silently to everyone I see all week, friends, family, strangers, acquaintances, “The light in you is all I see.”
Try it, “The light in you is all I see.”
“The light in you is all I see.”
Say it in your mind to everyone you know or don’t know, and feel how it releases you from the fear and pain of this world. The light is the truth. The light is the only thing that is permanent.
This doesn’t mean you don’t say no or walk away from unhealthy situations. In fact, quite the opposite. This mantra is an empowering one. You can both release a grudge and walk away if necessary. When I say walk away from unhealthy situations, I am talking about clear abuse or neglect. Just because someone is annoying you or not acting in a way that pleases you is not a reason to have to walk away. Too often people use these teachings to walk away from situations or people while judging those situations and people. That is not lasting freedom or happiness. You can accept and choose to see the light in anyone. And yes, I am talking anyone. This exercise should not be only for certain people and not for others. Leave out no one.
There is something I see a lot in with my clients and even personally when it comes to families and also politics in general. Well-meaning people fight against something they do not want or they believe is wrong, and in doing so, they become the exact thing they are fighting against. If you fight against something, you are creating an energy you don’t want. I am sure you have heard the saying, what you resist persists. It is true. You have to change your energy in order to transform your world. Only you can do that.
Albert Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” I am not claiming to know how to solve the problems of the world. But I DO believe there is an answer. And I believe the answer only lies in changing our consciousness. There is a power greater than us that can restore us back to sanity.
Lesson 186 of A Course in Miracles says, “Salvation of the world depends on me….Let us not fight our function. We did not establish it. It is not our idea. The means are given us by which it will be perfectly accomplished. All that we are asked to do is to accept our part in genuine humility, and not deny with self-deceiving arrogance that we are worthy. What is given us to do, we have the strength to do. Our minds are suited perfectly to take the part assigned to us by One Who knows us well.”
So let’s go forward with humility knowing that the salvation of the world is depending on us connecting with love. Practice releasing judgments, grudges, and hostilities this holiday season. When you start to pay more attention to the light in others, you will let your own light shine brighter. That is true freedom, and only the salvation of the world depends on it! 😉
The Light In You Is All I See,
Elizabeth
