Weekly Newsletter: Grievances

Grievances are resentments we hold onto. Sometimes they are real, sometimes they are imagined. Consider again the example of someone being passed over for a promotion they felt they deserved. If they were actually more qualified and a better choice for the position, then their grievance was real. If they were not the best candidate, but only thought they were, then their grievance was imaginary. The problem is, real or imaginary, a held grievance affects us the same. If we don’t get beyond them, we are the ones who lose.

One way to deal with grievances is to rewrite the scenario. Rather than examine it from the human perspective of “this is what they did to me,” consider it from a spiritual perspective of, “my higher power allowed this to happen.” And then ask “Why?” What lesson is here for me to learn? What am I being shown?”
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Grievances move beyond pure emotion and become baggage. Unnecessary trappings weigh us down and keep us from finding peace. During my years working with the Post Office, I was passed over several times for promotions. I resented it, yes, and felt I had a rightful grievance, but only when I released the resentment and baggage did I move on with my life and return to peace, happiness, and love. I was never promoted, and, looking back, it was a blessing.