Be Accurate about Resentment and Gratitude
by Michael Feeley
We all know that internal voice – the one keeping score, cataloging grievances, rehearsing arguments with people who aren’t even in the room. Resentment feels justified. It feels like clarity. But it’s a trap that keeps us stuck.
Here’s what I know for sure: gratitude isn’t about ignoring problems or pretending everything is wonderful. It’s about choosing which facts to focus on and what will have the best effect on you.
Both resentment and gratitude deal in facts. That person really did let you down. But they also showed up for you last month. That job really is frustrating. But it also pays your bills and teaches you valuable skills. Both truths exist simultaneously.
The difference is how each perspective affects you. Resentment keeps you in a loop – replaying, stewing, tightening, being angry. It narrows your vision until all you see is what’s wrong. Gratitude opens you up. It brings instant peace, clarity, and relaxation because you’re acknowledging the whole picture.
This isn’t about forced positivity. It’s about being accurate. When we’re honest about both sides – the disappointments and the gifts – we find balance. We see the truth. And truth gives us freedom.
The choice is always ours: spend energy fueling resentment or redirecting it toward gratitude. One keeps us prisoner, filled with harm. The other frees us to move forward with dignity and goodwill.
Thanks – Michael (he, him)
Please share my Daily.
This is also key to think about – Get Caught Up In Gratitude.
#2083
