JD LeJeune

Bitterness DailyOM

It is natural to feel resentment or anger when life does not unfold as expected. We consciously or unconsciously anticipated one experience, and we grieve for the loss of it when the universe puts something else in our path. Most of the time, we work through these feelings and they pass. Occasionally, our anger and resentment do not fade and are instead transformed into bitterness. Bitter feelings allow us to become perfect victims in that we no longer feel obliged to work toward healing and choose instead to identify with our pain. Yet as unwholesome as bitterness can be, it is also a natural element of our emotional palette. When we acknowledge that it is okay to feel bitter, we reconnect with our hurt in a constructive way and can begin the process of working through it.

The nature of bitterness is rooted in the fact that the pain we feel provides us with a rationale. We may feel that we deserve to embrace our bitterness to its full extent. And to be bitter is, in essence, to cut ourselves off from all that is positive, hardening our hearts and vowing never to let go of our hurt. But just as bitter feelings can be self-defeating, so too can the release of bitterness be life-affirming in a way that few other emotional experiences are. When we decide that we no longer want to be bitter, we are reborn into a world filled with delight and fulfillment unlike any we knew while in the clutches of bitterness. The veil it cast over our lives is lifted, letting light and warmth touch our souls.

Divesting yourself of bitter feelings can be as simple as truly forgiving and moving on. Even when your bitterness has no concrete object, you can forgive situations too. Healing pain can be challenging but may be easier if you remind yourself that you are the only entity truly affected by your emotional state. In time, you will discover that letting go of your bitterness frees you to initiate the healing process and allows you to once again celebrate the possibility of the more wonderful life you deserve.

Timely: these past few days have found me submerged in information that has come to be in an order that is so perfect and timely it is beyond amazing! The heart is simply amazing as is life!

“Ancient traditions remind us that we have come to this world for one reason above all other reasons. We are here to Love and find a Love even greater than any known by the angels of the heavens.“

• Gregg Braden, The Isaiah Effect

“Now it is clear, when one creates from within the head (using the mind), one is using a polarity instrument (the mind) to create with. And even though the intention is to create good, one way or another, the mind will always create both good and bad because that is it’s nature.

I suggest that you only try to create from within the sacred space of the heart for the heart knows only unity and will create the intention as it is concieved without it’s dark side, because it is in a place of oneness.“

• Drunvalo Melchizedek, Living In the Heart

“When they believe their thoughts, people divide reality into opposites. They think that only certain things are beautiful. But to a clear mind, everything in the world is beautiful in its own way.” - Byron Katie, “A Thousand Names for Joy”

Timely: Yesterday I was pondering all of the work I’m doing. By being “on guard” am I just creating more reasons to be that way? I guess it doesn’t mean I have to be on guard simply alert and present. So that when a feeling comes up I can notice it as opposed to reacting blindly!

DailyOM Horoscope

You may be feeling defensive today and on guard against the motivations of others. Your suspicions may be your own insecurities talking. When we are sensitive about something, we can imagine that every word or act from others is directed toward us, but we can choose not to take anything personally. Most people are operating from behind their own filters of understanding, and their motivations often have nothing to do with us. When we decide to not come from a reactive place, we can rise above our own issues and filters to see the truth of what is happening. We can then more clearly determine if the motivations of others are in line with our goals or not. Today we can trust ourselves and our intuition, giving us the strength to evaluate others without being defensive.

It can be very freeing to decide that we will not take anything personally. It allows us to accept people and their actions, freeing us to focus on our own goals. When we feel strong within ourselves, we can observe others and their patterns of behavior, and then decide whether or not we choose to have it in our lives. In doing so, you are removing your energy from unnecessary investments, leaving it for more important things like creativity, nurturing your well-being, and working toward your goals. When you connect to your center today you accept yourself for who you are and allow others to be who they are, which allows you to walk confidently toward your goals.