Holding Grudges

Daily Reflection
A grudge or a feeling of resentment towards someone else that has hurt you can block us along the spiritual path. When we hang on to this feeling in our hearts, we create a state of thinking or a state of consciousness that irritates the mind and blocks us from our own happiness and feelings of joy and contentment. While it is natural to have an immediate response of hurtful feelings when somebody does something to hurt us, it becomes a problem if we hang on to that feeling. Some of us can hold a grudge for years. A grudge can control us if it is a powerful one.

Today, in your journal, think of someone you have been holding a grudge against. Explore what happened, write it all down, explain the exact experience and how it hurt you. Think about how heavy this experience has made your heart. Think about how holding this grudge has controlled you. For your own sake of peace, do something nice for yourself and let it go.

Swami K

Focus on You

Daily Reflection
Today, I want you to focus on you. We need to set aside time in our lives to nurture ourselves, reconnect to our spirit, and soothe our souls. To live a life of happiness we need to do things that make us happy. It is just too easy to lose ourselves in the lives of others, to focus on helping others, and sacrifice our own needs.

In your journal today, I want you to make a list of those things that bring you joy, that make you feel peaceful, that fill your soul. For example, on my list would be taking a walk on the beach, taking an asana class, meeting with friends for dinner, etc. After you have your list, open your calendar and schedule time to do these things. Continue this practice. Every Sunday, revisit this list and make time to focus on you each week.

Swami K