This is going to be a very rough day

[summer_in_TX]

33. Reminds me of a 12-Step practice when I was dealing with resentment.

I'd offended my co-worker but unintentionally and in what I perceived to be a minor way. Her response was a nuclear blast that I didn't understand. She didn't speak to me. I resented her treatment and the frustration and pain it caused me.

Several years later I was invited to a 12-step program for Christians. As part of what we were learning, my sponsor told me to pray for that person for at least 30 days, for everything I would like for myself and loved ones.

So every day I prayed for her to be free of suffering, to be happy, successful, have friends and loved ones with whom she had wonderful relationships. At the end of the thirty days, my resentment was virtually gone. Once in awhile it would creep back in and then I'd pray for her again. After that spiritual practice, I repented of and released the resentment.

What had bothered me every day for years and consumed many hours (including interfering with being able to sleep) while trying to figure out how to make things right, no longer pressed on me.

I ran into her a number of months later, and she acted like we'd always been friends, speaking to me easily. We didn't see each other often afterwards, but it was friendly each time. She developed breast cancer, and it came back after they'd hoped it was cured. She passed away last week. I'm sad, but also thankful that no resentment lingered between us.