It’s almost Christmas — what better time to talk about holding grudges?
Yeah, yeah, people talk about how holding a grudge is like letting someone live rent free in your head. Esther Lederer — “Ann Landers” — actually said:
“Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.”
She meant people you really, really loathe. And I agree, holding on to that type of angst is not great for living a balanced and happy life. This forgiveness business is thing — the mental health professionals have it all figured out. Oprah (who is not a mental health professional) has something to say about it, too.
But.
Yeah, I have a but.
Sure, I have let go of past grudges — I don’t loathe anyone (really) and no one has that kind of power over my inner thoughts.
But low-level grudges? They don’t consume me or eat at my sense of well-being, but I have them — in fact I nurture them.
Double cross or disrespect me (at play, work or at the mall) and I won’t forget. Oh, I will be civil and polite and above all very professional. But I won’t forget.
