IT JUST TAKES ONE

You are dwelling on something that took place in the past -- or, more likely, on how you misunderstood that event and reacted to your misunderstanding. -- "Words to Live By," by Eknath Easwaran, February 19

That is my idea of the perfect definition of resentment...most especially the second half of the sentence.

It is a great burden lifted when we learn to doubt that which we heard...that which we heard, and we know we heard it so there is no reason or way we should change our mind about it, or so says our ego-based reasoning mind. That's why changing our mind is the hardest thing we'll ever be asked to do. Basically, we have to disagree with our own self in order to even become willing to change our mind.

Too many of us misunderstand what is said to us based entirely on something else entirely. We all have, shall we say, a "minor" nemesis. That sucker will do our hearing for us more times than not. That is where we learn to look first before reacting.

Minor or major, whoever or whatever appears today to be our nemesis, know that is the source of all our woes. The quick-fix is: Learn to love it...kiss that sucker right on the lips. It is not to win over it nor beat it at its own game...we can't, we lose every time we try. No. It is to love it. It is our very own until we love it...at which point it is no longer a nemesis, it is something we've learned to laugh about.

Then, when we misunderstand again (and we will), we look within, say our thank you, and let God do his perfect work in and through all concerned. It just takes one to be a channel for God.

Thank you.