Cresting The Hill

Gosh...this is exactly what we've been talking about lately!! It's so true that gratitude can give us WAY more than we ever imagined. And I don't think we always realize how powerful our minds can be. If you think negative thoughts, you are negative and vice versa!!
XOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com

So so timely. I tend to not have the focus required to hold onto a decent grudge, but I'm still carrying the bitterness of the bullying my husband got from his empoyer of 37 years. Still. And yet if that hadn't happened we wouldn't be here. I found myself being very rude to a rep of the same bank on the phone today just because they work for that organisation & had to pull myself up & give myself a good talking to. That officer was not the bank & not part of what happened. I have to do the let it go thing. The funny thing is, if it had happened to me I would have let it go soon after it occurred, but the fact that it was someone I loved & I didn't have the power to control it? That's different. Let it go already.

I definitely want to be the woman remembered for her smile. I do carry grudges and wake up in pain many mornings. But I also have much to be thankful for. This really spoke to me. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

We all know those bitter old ladies. I do not want to be one!

Spot on, Leanne!
Just this morning, my eldest daughter and I were talking about choices. And that whatever you are looking for? You will find. If you look for the sun, sunshine will happen. If you look for the gloom . . .

I love your energy and spirit, Leanne. I wish I had had the wisdom you have when I was your age and younger. But, I can honestly say that I live my life with as little bitterness as possible. I have weak moments for sure when I ruminate over past insults and hurts, but these pass. I learned a long time ago that one effective strategy for letting go of bitter feelings is to avoid thinking about them because then you simply rehearse the bad feelings to the point that they become concretely embedded in your head. In other words, replace those bitter feelings with something that gives you pleasure to think about.

I have been told by Men and Women that I wear my heart on my sleeve and My daddy taught me to always share a smile, you just never know what their going through. I hope that I am an inspiration to the ones I'm around.

I have writing gratitude stuff but I really like the concept son a jar. Kind of takes the daily pressure off but you can read back and remind yourself of all the good things we truly have.

Hi, Leanne - I agree that the antidote for negativity is gratitude. Thank you for another post that makes us think!

In 2004 I was in a job I hated. I would come home from work every night and complain about the people, the boredom, the environment, etc. By spring, I was tired of hearing myself groan so I decided to give up complaining for lent. Those 40 days changed my life.

I may not share sunshine where I go (I tend to be rather serious) but I strive never to share gloom and doom. It isn't good for anyone, especially ourselves.

Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking quote. I'll pin it to my "words to live by" board :)

Leanne - thanks for yet another thought-provoking post. I am not one to be bitter or hold a grudge, but I can be less positive than I'd like sometimes. Thanks for the reminder to always be grateful.

Wise words Leanne. Daily we encounter bitter people. They're the person in the checkout line who's complaining about something or the crazy driver in the car that nearly hit us as they changed lanes. They're the ones who need to read your gratitude post, but I fear they're too focused inward for the concept of gratitude to register with them.

This quote is so true Leanne. There are a couple of things that I can't or won't let go of but I don't let them make me bitter. I wrote about the gratitude jar a couple of years ago and it is lovely taking out the notes at the end of the year and being surprised at the things that made you grateful. Sometimes, gratitude just hits you. I can be driving back from seeing the grandchildren and it is a beautiful day, these are the times I just can't help but say thank you for all the good in my life. A great reminder to be grateful and not bitter. Who wants to be a bitter and twisted person - you miss out on so much if you are. xx

Great quote Leanne and very true, did you know I love collecting quotes too?? I made myself sick with bitterness when I was made redundant but I'm over that now! I wear my heart on my sleeve and a smile on my face at all times. I want to be known for my enthusiasm for life, my quirkiness and I'll even take a roll of the eyes - my daughters do it all the time when talking about me :) but at least I'm not a 'beige lady' who has disappeared into herself and her past. Great post for Thursday Thoughts, many thanks again for sharing your insights with us. I always get a buzz reading your posts. Debbie from debs-world.com

Bitterness is a killer, isn't it Leanne? I think because it eats away inside the person more than anything else. While other people may be temporarily inconvenienced by encountering a bitter person, at least it's only short-term pain, whereas the bitter person carries it inside themselves like acid. It helps me to think about it like that, and, like you, I've found that forgiveness (over and over and over) is the key. I read once that holding on to bitterness in relation to another person is like letting them live "rent free" in your head. No thanks!!! That word picture was really helpful to me xx

Light Suckers. Love that term. Especially given my Word of the Year is "Light". I had a light sucker venture into my world on Thursday afternoon. Turned my world dark for a few hours. But by Friday I was up and striding back down the tunnel to turn the light back on myself. #teamlovinlife

Thanks for these important words, Leanne. I want to be the sunshine in the room, spreading cheer and sprinkling kindness. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm never sad or angry, but it does mean I address those emotions and move on. I focus on the good and feeling gratitude for the many blessings in my life. My mother is 80 years old today. She has every reason to be bitter. Her young husband was shot to death right in front of her when she was pregnant with their first child. She then went through two divorces and the sudden death of her youngest son. Yet, my mother is one of the most loving and joy-filled people I know. She is a wonderful example of endurance, thriving, and gratitude. I try to emulate her in that way.

One of the reasons I started blogging was that I wanted to be remembered as more than just photographs. More recently, we've experienced a lot of loss, and I've been thinking so much about life, death, everything in between and beyond. I know that life can change in an instant and that it is important to make the most of every moment. Being grateful won't cure all ailments, but I know it helps.

Light suckers, joy bandits, we have all encountered them, and from time to time, have actually been that person. Like you have said, it is all about choices; choosing to let go, choosing to forgive and choosing to be grateful. Leanne, you bring so much positivity to this forum and into our lives. I think you are going to need a bigger gratitude jar!!

I have met bitter and twisted even tried a friendship with someone until I realised that they had no intention of change - it was how they defined themselves. I do know that I have held grudges in the past but no longer, the practice of genuine gratitude shifted all that to the point that even when something not ok happens these days it really isn't a big deal. Indeed I am excellent at finding the silver lining and if I ever forget myself all I have to do is truthfully acknowledge all that is shared with me .
I applaud your emerging quirkiness Leanne and tho' they may eye roll we are actually giving them the infinite possibilities of a fully embodied unique divine feminine Presence. hallelujah !!!

I try to roll with the punches. If I don't I am giving someone else headspace that they did not pay for. It is more for me not for them. #anythinggoes
Tracy www.viewfromthebeachchair.com

You hit the nail on the head again. Leanne. This is such an important message, most people here have come to terms with bitterness, but I know that many have not, so we will feature this post to give it more oxygen. Be looking on the next Blogger's Pit Stop for your feature.
I find that living without bitterness is almost a constant habit to cultivate. I can forgive, but then some totally unrelated thing will trigger me to think about the event/person that I have forgiven. If I am not quick to kick it out of my mind the ugly head of bitterness could invade my mind again. The more we practice, the easier it becomes. I do like Sue's comment on giving 'free rent' what a great picture to use as a deterrent.

This is a terrific post. I love what you have said and how it can really make people reflect.

My yoga teacher told me that I was very angry when we first met. Looking back, I see that she was right, although I didn't realize it at the time. Letting go of bitterness takes a lot of vulnerability, but life has become even more amazing as a result.

#mlstl